Fire siren silenced in Monsey

MONSEY — The siren that for decades called volunteer firefighters to fires or other emergencies has been silenced.

Responding to complaints from some residents, the Monsey Board of Fire Commissioners has turned off the siren, leaving volunteers with only one means of being notified — their pagers.

Shutting down the siren has potential safety and financial consequences for firefighters and residents.

The National Fire Prevention Association calls for two means of notifying volunteer firefighters in case pagers or beepers don't work. Poor notification could lead to fires and other emergencies being short-staffed.

There's a financial implication for homeowners. The two-communication system is taken into consideration by insurance companies that set rates for property owners and tenants based on the quality of the local firefighting, equipment, proximity to water or other issues.

The association's codes and standards are followed by departments across the nation and in Rockland County.

"The National Fire Prevention Association essentially says you need two reliable, competent means of notifying volunteer firefighters," said Anthony Benedict, an attorney who has worked with districts for decades and represents the Tallman Fire District.

"A volunteer fire department would be required to have another means of notification under NFPA guidelines," Benedict said. "Sirens have been used for close to 50 to 70 years and are the most reliable means of notification."

Monsey fire commissioners, who are elected, either didn't return telephone calls or said they couldn't comment on the decision or future plans without approval of the entire five-member board.

Monsey Fire District's lawyer, Thomas Newman, said he could not comment on the legal or financial implications of the board's decision without permission from the five commissioners. The board's next meeting is Thursday at the Grove Street firehouse in Monsey.

Board President Benjamin Breskin didn't return three telephone messages left at his place of work, Sleepy Hollow Gardens in Spring Valley. One message was also left at his home.

Commissioner Jonathan Kaufman said commissioners could not discuss the board's decisions. Kaufman is the only Monsey commissioner with firefighting experience.

Sirens can be heard for miles and are used by nearly every fire district.

Firefighters can tell where a fire or emergency is by counting the number of blasts.
The siren has been been used for decades by the Monsey Fire District, which covers a diverse community, dominated by Orthodox and Hasidic Jewish residences and businesses.

Former district President Nathan Rothschild said the issue came up when he was on the board and that the district's lawyers strongly recommended against silencing the siren.

Rothschild said the commissioners later bent to pressure from residents and local religious leaders.

"All these people who complained about the siren moved into the area knowing the sirens and firehouse already was there," he said.

Rothschild lost his re-election to the board in December after 15 years. He said he lost at least in part because he opposed shutting down the sirens.

He has also been charged with federal mail fraud involving a Monsey Fire District property sales deal. He has denied the charges and said he will be vindicated.

Rothschild, a firefighter, along with his son, said turning off the sirens is not in the best interest of the community or the firefighters.

"If we miss a call, there is a problem," Rothschild said. "At a fire, you need all the people you can get. The horn left no doubt that we were being called to duty."

Monsey Fire Chief Louis Gordon said in late April that the commissioners heard from a handful of residents who live in the neighborhood of the Grove Street firehouse and had issues with the horn. The board then went into executive session to discuss the issue, he said.

Gordon said the horn is required by NFPA guidelines and is the most dependable. He noted the county still has problems with a radio system, and pagers can be undependable.

"If the siren is shut off, we could suffer with a limited response," Gordon said.
Most firefighters have a story about misplacing their pager or the device not working, said Gordon Wren Jr., coordinator of Rockland Fire and Emergency Services and a Hillcrest firefighter.

Spring Valley is the only other district not using a siren, and the department is one of the county's busiest and most effective.

Wren said the village decided against repairing its antiquated horn system, which was tied into emergency boxes on local streets.

Firefighter Frank Hutton monitors insurance ratings for Rockland fire districts. He said a difference of a point up or down in the rating system can mean hundreds of dollars extra or less for property owners. Having two forms of notification can help keep down costs.

"It's not good policy," he said of turning off the siren. "There have been many times when my pager didn't go off, but I heard the siren. If I am outside, I hear the siren before my pager goes off.