THE FIRE SIREN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 61, 11 December 1946, Page 5

THE FIRE SIREN

QUESTION OF REMOVAL

BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION “I would like to see the fire siren in Kopeopeo shifted into the Domain,” said Cr Canning at the meeting of the Borough Council last Monday.'The speaker declared that for years now the residents in King Street had been greatly inconvenienced. The noise fairly shook tine immediate buildings and set the crockery dancing and although it had been cut down to once weekly it was still a distinct nuisance.

The above remarks brought Cr Shapley (who is also chairman of the Fire Board) to his feet. He traversed the story of the change-over from the old bell alarm and said that when the siren was erected it had been put in a position carefully selected for the purpose of reaching and warning all members of the Brigade. He quite sympathised with those who found the noise a nuisance but it had to be remembered that it was sounded to call men at night time to save life and property and if it was good enough to expect firemen to leave their beds to do their duty it was surely good enough for the immediate residents to put up with a little inconvenience. Wherever it was erected there would be objections. The Domain site had been discussed over the past two years and been found quite unsuit-, able. In the opinion of the Brigadesmen, if it were put anywhere else it would mjss the purpose for which it was designed. The Mayor: It has a long range—we can hear it from Hillcrest.

Cr' Shapley: It is definitely not suitable when the wind is blowing in a certain direction.

The Mayor: We none of' us would like to have it at our front door, but I do not think its our function to do anything about it other than to perhaps.make a recommendation. Cr Armstrong: I understand that it would not be quite so penetrating if it were raised some ten or fifteen feet.

Cr Shapley: I don’t think that would alleviate it. We have already tried muffling it.

Cr Shapley said that Whakatane was a difficult Borough to serve, the populous area being well away from the business section both of which required protection from the Brigade.‘He would be quite happy to bring the matter up at the next Board meeting and if any alternative sites were offering they would be considered.