By Brian C. Rittmeyer
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Copyright 2006 Tribune Review Publishing Company
All Rights Reserved
Shaler commissioners are stepping into the middle of a dispute between the Elfinwild Volunteer Fire Co. and neighbors who say that the company’s station siren is too loud.
After residents complained that fire department officials have refused to talk with them about it, commissioners recently said they would try to set up a meeting.
Commissioners also directed their solicitor to look into what laws, if any, would control the siren’s volume and use.
“They are a very difficult fire company to work with,” said Commissioner James Boyle, who said it took two-and-a-half years to get Elfinwild to stop sounding one of its two sirens. “We’re trying to work with them. We have no control over them.”
Resident Aileen Drosendahl said no progress has been made since a group of residents took their complaints to commissioners in March. Because firefighters now carry pagers to alert them to calls, she said there is no reason to use the siren.
“I cannot praise the people who fight fire enough. I don’t think they get enough praise for it,” she said. “We do have a problem with the fire siren. It’s unnecessary.”
Elfinwild fire Chief John Rihn said he met with one of the neighbors, and would be happy to talk with others. He said the department’s members have decided they are not comfortable with shutting off the siren at their Mt. Royal Boulevard station.
“I see this as a matter of public safety,” he said. “If I could guarantee I’d have 24-7 coverage without the siren, I’d take it off the roof right now.”
Neighbor Ed Gillenberger said the fire company is not being respectful to the residents. He said the siren is painful to people and animals.
“Why can’t these firefighters get it through their heads they’re harming their neighbors and we don’t like it?” he said.
Manager Tim Rogers said the township has little control over the independent fire company. Firefighters are not township employees. Most of the money the department receives from the township is simply passed through from other sources or is money the township is required by state law to provide, he said.
Laws that control noise don’t apply to the department.
“There isn’t a carrot there,” Rogers said. “They should do it because it’s the right thing to do.”
Elfinwild fire Lt. Ken Naccarato said there is no volume control on the air raid-style siren, which dates to 1947. He said the department has reduced the number of times it cycles from 10 to five.
“I believe we have compromised,” Rihn said. “I don’t know what else to do at this point.”