Fix for fourth Oceanport siren in the works
Parts of system
have been inoperable
for much of last year
A quick fix to repair the Fire Department’s emergency siren system in Oceanport was just that: a quick fix.
Stuart Briskey, ex-chief of the Fire Department in 1992 and 1993, said two of the four sirens in the borough are not working properly. He also questioned whether money from an insurance settlement will be used for the repairs.
"That is incorrect," said Councilman Gary E. Wolfe. "Only one out of the four sirens is not working at this time."
Thomas K. Rospos, borough engineer, will be working on the system this week, he added.
The siren, which is in need of repair, according to Fire Chief Rick Gallo, is located behind the Oceanport Hook and Ladder Company on Main Street and has been inoperable since last year.
But Briskey said the siren behind Wolfe Hill school also had not working properly recently, although he acknowledged that it might have been repaired by then.
"The entire siren system was not working on Sept. 11 during a state of an emergency," he added.
According to Briskey, the siren may be tested in the near future as per request of the serving chief.
In mid-July, the main terminal of the emergency sirens, located at the Police Department, was struck by lighting. The strike damaged the system, disabling the three other sirens within the borough, which are used to notify emergency volunteers in times of need.
The system, installed during the Cold War to notify residents of a possible air strike, was temporarily repaired. The system is currently used to alert the Fire Department, first aid squad and Office of Emergency Services.
"In the event that the siren needs only minor repairs, the borough’s capital budget may pay for it," Wolfe said.
According to Wolfe, the $10,000 received from an insurance settlement in fall 2001 will be placed in a reserve fund, which can be used for future expenditures for the sirens.
The remaining sirens are located at the Community Center Park on Port-Au-Peck and Sagamore avenues, the public works yard on Myrtle Avenue and the Wolf Hill School on Wolf Hill Avenue.
The proposal for a newer system costing between $75,000 and $100,000 has been the subject of negotiations within the budget advisory committee for the past two years, according to Steven Briskey who served as fire chief in 2001.
"It was discussed," said Wolfe that nothing will move forward on a new system this year because at this time it is not a necessity and there is no plan in this year’s budget for it."
"It serves its purpose for now," said Gallo, "there are greater needs for emergency services."
The decision to hold off on buying a new system, noted Wolfe, was made in conjunction with emergency services personnel and borough officials.