Compromise Reached for Controversial Fire Siren

Over the weekend, River Edge residents and firefighters along with Councilmen Johnny Porco and Paul Cordts were able to reach a compromise on how to handle acontroversial fire siren on Kensington and Elm Avenues.

Instead of the previous decision to approve a resolution in favor of the fire siren, an electrician will be called in to lower the decibel level from the recorded 113 decibels.

"While that is happening, we will investigate from the corner of Main and Elizabeth Streets to so that there is coverage," Councilman Johnny Porco said. "That way it is out of the residential area and after that point the Kensington and Elm Avenues siren will be shut off."

Porco additionally stated that a study will still take place to test the decibel levels for the fire siren at on Tenney Avenue and one on Bloomfield Avenue.

"We want to do proactive studies to make sure that all the sirens are at a decibel level that is not dangerous," Porco said. "We will look into grants for other back-up systems as well."

The borough's three fire sirens predominately sound from 6am to 11pm for all reported fire alarms and structure fires. The only time a siren will sound from 11pm to 6am is incase of a working fire or severe motor vehicle accident that has been deemed life threatening. 

Used as a back-up system to the firefighter's pager system, the sirens are not used for company calls to minor calls such as a brush fire or carbon monoxide alarm.