CFA siren silenced

By Tania Martin
A MACCLESFIELD man has questioned a move to disconnect the town’s fire station siren.
Michael James was told last month that the siren had been unplugged as the building undergoes renovations.
But he has questioned why it’s being done in the middle of the high fire risk period.
Mr James was told the siren would be disconnected for more than six months and said he was flabbergasted by the decision.
Mr James said for many residents the siren was the only way to know that there may be a fire in the area.
“When the siren goes off and your out in the paddock or in your yard you are made aware something is going on and to check out what is happening,” he said.
“There really is no other way to know what is going on.”
But a CFA spokeswoman said the siren needed to be disconnected so the station could be renovated.
She said the new station would be larger, allowing for more trucks and new meeting rooms.
The spokeswoman said volunteers were usually alerted by pager for incidents but the siren was an added notification.
She said although sirens were a redundant system, the CFA allowed brigades to still use them.
“Unless there is a structured and agreed community alert system in place, the hearing of the CFA siren will not provide any specific information or advice on the appropriate action to take,” the spokeswoman said.
“At the end of the day, all a fire siren does is alert brigade members who can hear it to attend the fire station.”
Mr James said although he understood the siren was not meant to notify the community, it was still a good first line alert.
“I understand it’s (the siren) for the CFA to alert their staff but it also makes us more aware,” he said.
“Now we won’t hear anything unless there is a truck going past.”
The CFA recommends residents who are concerned about fire in their area to visit the CFA or DSE website, contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667, check radio and television emergency broadcasts and go outside and check for smoke.