Slatington fire siren back in operation after 25-year silence

SLATINGTON, Pa. — For the first time in roughly 25 years, the siren at the Slatington Fire Department is once again sounding across the borough.

Fire Chief Rob Reph said the siren was knocked out by lightning decades ago and never repaired due to the cost at the time.

“The siren got struck by lightning and stopped working I want to say 25 years ago,” Reph said. “Due to the cost at the time, the borough elected not to fix it. The siren at the station required a new receiver and programming at a cost of around $5,000.”

Now restored, the siren will serve multiple purposes — alerting first responders and residents when the fire department is dispatched, and warning the community during severe weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes or flash flooding.

The system includes a timer that prevents the siren from sounding between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., though Reph said it can be overridden during major emergencies. The department is also exploring repairs to another siren located “on the hill off East South Street.”

In a Facebook post addressing residents’ questions about recent siren activations, the department said the decision to bring the system back was influenced by growing weather instability in the area.

“The siren at our station has recently been reactivated, and we are diligently working to ensure its efficient operation as a vital component for emergency notifications within the community,” the post said.

The siren will sound whenever the department is dispatched by Lehigh County, serving as both a call for volunteers and a warning for residents that emergency vehicles may be on the road or hazards may be present nearby.

“The decision to reinstate the siren was also influenced by the increased weather instability observed over the past few years, including events such as the Trout Creek flooding and the 2021 tornado that affected the town and the airport,” department officials wrote.

The department added that it will continue refining the siren’s schedule and welcomed questions from residents.

Outdoor warning sirens have been a staple of community safety for decades, used to alert residents of fires, natural disasters or other emergencies. While many municipalities now rely on mobile alerts, sirens remain useful for reaching people outdoors or those without cell service.

In the Lehigh Valley, where recent years have brought flash flooding and severe storms, officials said systems like Slatington’s remain an important part of local emergency preparedness. The department encouraged everyone to stay alert when they hear it.

“We sincerely appreciate everyone’s cooperation as we refine this system,” the department said.