The City of Gibbon controls three sirens located throughout the City. One, above the firehall downtown, a second, located in Davis Park, and the third, located in the 500 block of Lawn Avenue. Each of these sirens produces a sound of 120 decibels at 100ft and cannot be adjusted. The decibel levels decrease as the sound travels away from the siren. Therefore, individuals are exposed to different decibel levels depending on their proximity to the siren.
Individuals within one block of the sirens are exposed to decibel levels between 100 - 115, four times each day Monday - Saturday 7 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, and 6 pm. Pioneer Park is within one block of the siren located at the firehall. Children playing at Pioneer Park are exposed to painfully high decibel levels, causing them to cry and cover their ears. Citizens living near the sirens experience significant discomfort as well.
Citizens near the whistles experience significant physical discomfort as a result of the whistles. Children and adults cover their ears or take "cover" to escape the high decibel levels. Children and adults are noticeably in pain with the high decibel level exposure. A majority of the whistle's proponents are typically at a greater distance from the source and do not experience the same levels of discomfort as those nearby.
Are the scheduled whistles necessary, and what functionality do they serve? Proponents justify keeping the whistles for the following reasons. The whistles are: a part of Gibbon's tradition - used to keep track of the time of day, serve as a test for our emergency system, and are not as loud as the trains. Government bodies must ask, does the public interest rise to a level that warrants infringing upon the "peace" of other individuals? I would suggest the justification for keeping the whistles does not rise to the level of infringing upon individuals' rights to enjoy our parks, be in their homes, and enjoy the outdoors without their "peace" being disturbed.
The Council voted to eliminate the 7 am, 1 pm, and 6 pm whistles from the siren located at the fire hall and to sound a 12:00 pm whistle from all three sirens throughout town Monday through Friday. The 12:00 pm whistle will serve as a test of our emergency siren system at all locations.
Leon Stall
Mayor, City of Gibbon