The Wail of a Siren

The wail of a siren,
caught my aged ear.
Why does the sound
bring forth an old fear?
Volunteer fireman, what you were
in smaller communities,
when action was needed.
I stood and the siren did sound.
We followed the engine,
out of our small town.
A barn was on fire,
the flames were a roar.
We entered the barn,
to help set the horses free.
The fire was over,
the barn had burnt down,
but we didn't lose our animals
in this smallest old town.