As it does every day, a siren sounded off at noon in Palmerton.

But, unlike any other day when it traditionally signifies that lunchtime has arrived, on Saturday, it meant the start of the dedication of the new Palmerton Municipal Fire Company station.Borough Council President Terry Costenbader welcomed those on hand for an open house at the fire station, at which time he asked for a moment of silence for all the volunteer firefighters of Palmerton, especially Jonathan Schuster, who recently passed away.That was followed by the benediction given by Pastor Paul Schoffstall, of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.Borough Manager Rodger Danielson introduced the dignitaries on hand, which began with Keith McCall, former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Danielson lauded McCall, whom he said was "kind of the person who got this started for us in 2008. That's what really got us started."