Please sign this petition to limit the hours of operation of Preston, Maryland’s Fire Siren. Sound the alarm within the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. & provide residents peace and quiet during the hours of 9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Last night my one year old teething daughter, my husband and I were woken four separate times within the hours of 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. to the deafening sound of the fire siren. In the midst of exhaustion and despair, I reached out to Preston’s town manager and The Preston Volunteer Fire Company for help.

Preston town manager, Stacey Pindell explains, “The siren signal is sent by the Caroline County Emergency Services to alert the residents of impending disbursements of emergency vehicles.” Emergency vehicles such as police, fire trucks, ambulance and other emergency services are equipped with flashing lights and sirens to alert motorists and residents in passing. With that, is it really necessary for residents to be woken from their sleep by the oppressive fire siren in the middle of the night? No.

The Preston Volunteer Fire Company also points out that, “in the event of a natural disaster” the siren will go off. Aside from a natural disaster, please limit the use of the fire siren.

On their webpage, Easton Volunteer Fire Department’s Chris Hash eloquently explains why fire sirens are necessary. With respect to their residents, they also limit the duration of their siren and take into consideration the times the siren goes off. You can read the article here: https://eastonvfd.org/fire-sirens-why-are-they-needed/

Many fire departments across the nation have stopped using their fire sirens all together, as technically they are not necessary. This petition is not asking Caroline County Emergency Services to stop the fire sirens in Preston. Reasonably, it is asking to limit the use and duration of the siren out of sympathy and respect for Preston town residents.

Take a stand and help bring about change by signing this petition to limit the hours of operation of Preston, Maryland’s Fire Siren. Sound the alarm within the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. & provide residents peace and quiet during the hours of 9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.