MERRILLVILLE | A veteran Ross Township Fire Service firefighter is hoping to ignite residential support to put an end to the town's emergency sirens sounding fire calls.

Michael Goodman, a 15-year firefighter, said he's been voicing opposition for more than two years without the support of town officials.

"I am only one of a few voices opposing the use of the town's emergency sirens that are supposed to scream with an ear-splitting wail to announce a tornado or other severe emergency," he said. "But instead, two of the four Merrillville fire stations use and abuse them to advertise they have a fire call. ... On busy days, these sirens may wail five to six times."

Town officials confirmed Merrillville Fire Station 2, 7905 Taft St., and Fire Station 3, 9264 E. 73rd Ave., use the sirens to signal fire calls.

Goodman said sounding the sirens for fire calls is an outdated and unnecessary practice because all firefighters have beepers and portable radios that alert them to fire calls.

The firetrucks, once rolling, also have sirens announcing their approach on local roads, he said.

"The siren going off at the station confuses people," Goodman said. "It puts them in danger, and it's just flat-out dangerous and annoying."

He said he has received complaints about the sirens from those in nearby day care facilities, churches, businesses and homes.

Town Councilman Joe Shudick, D-5th, who also serves as a volunteer firefighter, opposes Goodman in his stance.

"I personally think that -- unless proven wrong -- it helps with safety issues," Shudick said.

He said the alarm sounding fire calls has been used for 60 years and has never been an issue.

It not only serves as a warning device to residents, who may want to get children off the street, Shudick said. It also is a reminder to volunteer firefighters, he said.