Patent ID: 7358855

Claim:
A local area warning apparatus positioned in a public area for warning the public of actual or potential conditions, comprising: a support structure; at least one light secured to the support structure; at least one speaker secured to the support structure; a receiver/electronics package connected to the at least one light and the at least one speaker, which is located at the support structure and is at least configured to: receive radio broadcasts pertaining to one or more geographical areas; decode the radio broadcasts pertaining to a selected geographical area based on location codes in the radio broadcasts; control the at least one light; and control the at least one speaker; wherein the receiver/electronics package is enclosed within a protective enclosure and comprises an interface with an input device wherein the input device is configured to allow a user to: input the selected geographical area of the apparatus; program the at least one speaker to a specific volume setting; and program the at least one light to specific settings; wherein in response to the decoded signals, the at least one light produces a visual message to the public relating to one or more actual or potential conditions associated with the selected geographical area; and wherein in response to the decoded audio signals, the at least one speaker produces an audio message to the public relating to one or more actual or potential conditions associated with the selected geographical area.