Since 1948, the siren atop the Hometown Fire Department has been the community's alarm system, alerting firefighters and the public that an emergency is in progress.

One resident, Joe Shamonsky, wants it to stop.At a Rush Township Supervisors' meeting last week, Shamonsky said that most of the firefighters now have pagers and cell phones, which he said can be used to summon them. During the public comment portion of the meeting, Shamonsky said he was tired of being awakened by the siren.Shamonsky, who resides on Swenson Street, has lived within a few blocks of the fire station for more than 20 years. Now retired, he was active in the Hometown Fire Company as a member of its fire police.In a phone interview this week, Shamonsky said he quit the fire police because "he didn't like the way it was run and I had it with them."Jeanine Motroni, a Rush Township Supervisor, who is also vice president of the Hometown Fire Department, said Shamonsky was asked to resign from the fire police.Shamonsky said that isn't why he is complaining about the fire siren, and explained that he is concerned about peace and quiet for the township's residents."What's the sense of waking people up at 2, 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning?" Shamonsky said. "The elderly people, they don't need that, and you have people who have to get up for work, they don't need that."The siren at night is ridiculous I'd love to see it eliminated and give the people a little rest," he added. "Nine out of 10 of the firefighters don't even go to the fire company, they just look on their pagers to find out what's going on, and go directly to the scene."Hometown Fire Department Chief Barry Messerschmidt said the siren is an important piece of safety equipment for the community."It's not just for the firefighters; it's also to let people know there's an issue," he said. "You hear the siren and you know that there may be emergency vehicles responding in the area it's a warning device."Merle Wertman, who is captain of the Rush Township Fire Police, said that being able to have both pieces of equipment the pagers and the siren adds another layer of surety to the response by emergency personnel."I know of one time when I had run to the store in a hurry, and I didn't have my pager and I heard the siren," Wertman said. "I knew there was an emergency."For our residents, and for people who are driving through the area, it lets everyone know there's an emergency," Wertman added. "You drive more carefully."All three Rush Township Supervisors spoke in favor of the siren. Robert Leibensperger pointed out that since Rush Township is a second class township, certain rules apply about which entity controls the siren."Although we supply some monies to the fire departments, we are not involved in their regulations or administration," Leibensperger said. "It's up to the chief of the fire company to decide whether or not the siren is needed."Chairman Shawn Gilbert spoke in support of the siren."It's been here since the building was built, and this is the first time I've heard a complaint," Gilbert said. "It's important for the firefighters and for people driving in the area, if they hear the siren they know to be more aware of their surroundings."Motroni said the fire siren is important "for a multitude of reasons.""For whatever reason, a firefighter might not hear the pager," Motroni said. "The siren is another way to make sure we get people to respond."Albert Rocuskie has lived next to the Hometown Fire Department for 48 years. He and his wife raised four daughters there, and he runs his chiropractic business from the home."We have no complaints, in fact, we have nothing but praise for the firefighters and the work they do," Rocuskie said. "So maybe they go out a few times a week you get used to it.""They're a good bunch of people and they put so much time into that place (the fire department)," he added."When I hear the siren, it gives me a sense of comfort to know they are right here for us, going out to help somebody."Shamonsky doesn't agree."Years ago, we didn't have all the means of communication that we do now, with the pagers and cell phones," he said."I'd like to see it put to some kind of vote, and I want somebody to give me a good reason why it should stay."