Sheriff's captain shoulders blame for missing tornado sirens
Walworth County Sheriff's Department Communications Capt. Jay Maritz is taking the blame for not sounding the tornado sirens in several county municipalities.
At the 911 dispatch console inside the Walworth County Law Enforcement Center, Maritz told a dispatcher to press one button to send the tornado warning to some communities, but he didn't tell the dispatcher to press another button needed to reach other municipalities.
"This one was strictly my issue," Maritz said. "We've taken steps now so it won't be an issue in the future."
Genoa City, Sharon, Fontana, East Troy, Delavan Township, Geneva Township and Lyons did not go off automatically when signaled to from the county's dispatch center. Those communities were attached to the button Maritz did not have the dispatcher press, he said.
Some of those municipalities made turned them on manually, he said.
The county will run a test of its tornado sirens at noon on Saturday, Feb. 2, Maritz said.
"I expect on Feb. 2 that they will all go off," Maritz said.
Jan 9, 2008 at 9:55 a.m.
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I'll give him credit too. But it was potentially a very serious mistake. Fortunately no one was injured as a result and from the sounds of it they've taken steps to insure it doesn't happen in the future. Bullet dodged.
Jan 9, 2008 at 9:42 a.m.
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I agree with fiveonearth; quickly acknowledging an error and proving a quick solution elevates his and the Dept's. credibility.
Jan 9, 2008 at 8:42 a.m.
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Actually, I have more respect for Jay Maritz for standing up and taking the responsibility. He could have passed the buck, but he didn't. Everyone makes mistakes, but it takes a man to admit it.
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