Firehouse Quake Alarm Is Fixed
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Firefighters managed to make the nation’s first earthquake alarm in a firehouse work as designed.
The $3,200 alarm was installed at the Calistoga Fire Department about four months ago. It was supposed to make a warbling sound--distinct from a siren--to warn residents of a coming quake. But until it was fixed Friday, it generated the ring it makes to alert firefighters to a call.
Motion sensors in the firehouse are designed to detect the first, nondamaging waves sent out by a quake of 5.0 magnitude or greater and could provide a warning up to a minute before a temblor strikes.
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