We all knew it had to happen at some point...
Homeowners in Hempfield's West Point neighborhood call their volunteer fire department's new fire siren a public health hazard that could cause hearing loss because its decibel level exceeds 100.
Residents Bill McLaughlin and Neal Connelly compare the wail to an air raid siren.
But Hempfield supervisors -- three of whom live in the area -- want independent information about the siren before they will consider using public funds to challenge in court whether it is a public nuisance.
Supervisors voted unanimously Monday night to have their fire inspector and public works director gather decibel meter readings for the West Point siren and compare it to the wails from two other companies with the same siren.
Some residents complained last night that the manufacturer touts the siren as reaching 130 decibels, although firefighters say their review found that the siren tops out at 115 decibels for those standing within 100 feet of it.
West Point's department used a state grant and its own funding to buy and install the siren last spring for an estimated $16,000. The company had been without a siren for the two years prior.
Assistant Fire Chief Miles Webb said the department made computer adjustments to cut the wail time in half from its initial 3-minute call.
But Dan Horner of Le Pointe Drive said it's so overpowering that two people standing 5 feet apart can't hold a conversation.
"It's really obtrusively loud," he said. "I know they tried some changes, but it didn't really abate (it)."
Richard Janesko of New Haven Drive said the siren might cause permanent hearing loss for residents.
"This can't be moved in any direction to appease anyone," he said.
Township Solicitor Les Mlakar said Hempfield would have no liability because of the department's siren, but the township would have a higher burden of proof than an individual property owner if supervisors chose to pursue a lawsuit claiming the siren is a public nuisance.
If the matter were to go to court, it would be a court's judgment whether a person's right to be free of the noise is greater than the "necessary inconvenience" of a fire siren, he said.
Supervisor Tom Logan made the motion to test the decibel levels. An estimated six of the township's 12 fire companies have a similar siren.
Logan wants township officials to diagram how the sirens are mounted and how far they are from residences.
"We can't make any kind of decision without more information," he said.
Supervisors Bob Davidson, Doug Weimer and John Bossi live in the West Point neighborhood but were careful with their comments last night.
"We want to work with everybody to make some sort of a happy medium here," Bossi said.
West Point fire officials bought the siren after getting a recommendation from Carbon's company, which uses the same type.
"They don't mean to harm anybody," said Kim Houser, attorney for the West Point department. "They love the community. They aren't trying to create offense to anybody."
Another resident, Chris Kent, Southwest Greensburg police chief, said he thinks it would be a disservice if the department is forced to disable its siren because the area is notorious for poor radio, pager and cell signals.
"I think by eliminating an audible alarm in that community, I think that would be a great injustice to everybody," he said.
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