NOISE OF SIRENS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30156, 13 June 1963, Page 14

NOISE OF SIRENS

Complaint To

Fire Board

A complaint from the Hornby Residents’ Association that fire engines from the Stockbum Fire Station were sounding the siren too much in the early morning and “sleepers are disturbed” was received by the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board last evening.

The board decided that no action should be taken as the siren must be sounded in the over-riding question of safety. The Chief Fire Officer (Mr L R Osmond) said that, irrespective of the time of the call, the brigades statutory duty was to proceed with all haste to the scene of the fire. This could not be done if the sirens were not to be used at certain hours. If the siren was not sounded, the engine must obey the traffic laws. If an engine had an accident when exceeeding the speed limit without the siren on, the board would be faced with the onus in meeting claims for damages. Mr W E Olds: These disturbed sleepers have probably never had a fire in their homes. If they did. they would find the sound of the siren the sweetest music they had ever heard.

Mr T. H. Boyle: The sound of the siren has given an impetus to persons, trapped by a fire, hanging from a windowsill by their fingers, to hang on longer for a minute or two that has saved lives.

Mr A. A. Adcock: The siren gives added safety to persons in buildings on fire by preventing panic and also gives added safety to the men on the fire engines.