I am a concerned citizen of Havre de Grace, MD, USA. This issue is personal to me because I deeply care about the people in my town. Our fire department has been using the tornado siren as their own personal call to alert their volunteers. This practice not only disrupts our sleep but also poses a risk to our hearing health and overall peace of mind.

Moreover, it creates confusion during actual emergencies. If there were a real tornado, people might dismiss it as another fire department alert leading to potential disaster due to delayed response times. According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes can strike rapidly with little warning; therefore every second counts (National Weather Service).

Phone alerts may be too late in such situations and relying on them could put lives at risk. The World Health Organization states that exposure to loud sounds over prolonged periods can lead to hearing loss (World Health Organization). Therefore, using these sirens unnecessarily is not just annoying but potentially harmful.

We urge the local authorities of Havre de Grace and the Fire Department officials specifically, to find an alternative method for alerting their volunteers that does not cause unnecessary panic or harm among residents.

Please sign this petition if you agree that we need change for the safety and well-being of all Havre de Grace residents.