THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 4, 2026 Page 3 ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ To the Citizens of Everett: It’s Time to Address Our City’s Loudest Neighbor L iving in Everett comes with the standard hum of a tight knit, densely populated city. But in recent years, one sound has grown to dominate our neighborhood streets, day and night: the endless, blaring piercing of emergency sirens. While public safety is vital, the constant wall-to-wall engagement of sirens from Cataldo Ambulance units has crossed the line from essential life-saving alerts into pervasive noise pollution. Emergency vehicle operators face intense pressures, but blanket siren usage—at 2 AM down quiet residential streets, through light traffi c, or during non-critical transport—takes a severe toll on resident sleep, stress, and quality of life. The problem isn’t the emergency medical services themselves, but how and when emergency visual and audible warnings are deployed. Across emergency medical services nationwide, data reveals a stark reality: The Emergency Dynamic: Studies across urban emergency medical services regularly demonstrate that only a fraction of dispatched 911 medical calls represent immediate, life-threatening conditions (such as cardiac arrest, severe trauma, or stroke). A signifi cant portion of 911 calls turn out to be low-acuity medical issues or non-emergent transports where dynamic lights-and-sirens response does not alter patient outcomes. Marginal Time Saved vs. Risk: Industry research from the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) shows that blaring sirens often save mere seconds—typically around 1.5 to 3 minutes—while dramatically increasing crash risks for fi rst responders and causing severe noise disruption to local communities. Transit vs. Emergency: Cataldo operates both emergency municipal 911 responses and non-emergent inter-facility transports throughout the region. When sirens blare during routine shifts, residents are left wondering whether an actual life is on the line or if habits have simply superseded noise mitigation protocols. The state of Massachusetts guidelines grant emergency vehicles exemptions from traffic laws only when responding to actual emergencies, but they also require due regard for public safety—and that includes public health impacts like severe noise pollution. Modern cities are increasingly adopting “smart siren” practices, low-frequency rumor horns, and strict protocol protocols requiring emergency crews to kill sirens in low-density traffi c or late-night residential zones unless clearing an active intersection. Everett deserves prompt, high-quality medical response, but our residents also deserve quiet enjoyment of their homes and a full night’s sleep. It is time for Everett city leaders, EMS directors, and Cataldo management to collaborate on a modernized, sensible siren policy. We must hold our providers to high safety standards while “WE’RE STILL HERE!” Since 1947 MALDEN AUTO BODY Book online: Maldenauto.com 49 Robin St., Everett, MA 617-389-3030 * Maldenab@yahoo.com Over 79 years of exceptional service! Massone Family Owned & Operated SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available ensuring sirens are reserved for true, high-priority life-or-death emergencies—not as an automatic default 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sincerely, Exhausted Everett citizens. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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