The siren, which had been operating for more than 50 years, was dismantled without public notice last month.

More than 220 irate residents crammed into a recent community meeting.

Former CFA captain Peter Marke said residents had come to rely on the siren to alert them of impending danger.

"Like it or not, our community have experienced wildfires and many residents have become reliant on hearing the siren," he said.

"The majority of residents are happy with the fire sirens - the community have benefited from them for many years. Why shouldn't we listen to our community?"

A lifetime resident of Upwey, Mr Marke said he was concerned the incident had tarnished the reputation of the Upwey CFA.

"The brigade were willing to compromise with CFA authorities but were not given the chance to because the siren was turned off before discussions were had. It is regrettable as we are just coming into a new fire season."

Ternes Road resident Bronwyn Howarth lives directly opposite the siren and vigorously defended the need for the siren.

"I'd be happy to put it in my bedroom," she said. "As residents the first thing we do when the siren goes off is step outside our home and check if there is any smoke. It is an irreplaceable tool that has been keeping us safe for decades."

Mrs Howarth, who has lived in Upwey for more than 50 years, said the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires alone should be enough cause to keep the siren.

"I would like the relevant authorities to ask the people of Marysville, Kinglake and Chum Creek what they think about this," she said.

Upwey CFA captain Graham Brew said the CFA had received about 30 complaints from Upwey residents who reside near the siren.

The objectors' main arguments concerned noise and the frequency of sirens that sound every week. The sirens would usually sound two to four times a week, for about 30 seconds at a time.

Mr Brew said the meeting strongly supported the Upwey brigade and backed sending a letter to the CFA opposing the turning off the Ternes Road siren.

A CFA spokesman said the letter had been received but authorities would not rescind the decision.

"The siren has only ever been used to alert CFA members to attend the fire station," he said. "The siren has never been, and was never intended to be, used to warn the community."

He said pagers and mobile phones provided a more reliable method of alerting members to an incident without disrupting neighbours.