Is it me, or have police and ambulance sirens changed their tune in the last number of years?
I seem to remember that they were alot more like the fire sirens in this video:
but then they became what you hear later in the video. This latter sound is a lot more American sounding.
So my question is: What's up with the change? Is it just a matter of having changed equipment suppliers? Or is it a deliberate attempt to sound more American? Or is the new sound more audible in some way? And if so, why wouldn't all emergency services have switched over at the same time?
Hey there [url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-34124935 ]lucky if they've a siren at all[/url] nowadays
I think there was a jump a few years ago to add an element of "white noise" to sirens, as it improved directional awareness especially in built up areas.
I don't know if it's the reason, but I'd have thought that there was merit in changing them every so often as an unusual noise is perhaps more likely to grab people's attention?
I think there was a jump a few years ago to add an element of "white noise" to sirens, as it improved directional awareness especially in built up areas.
Yeah, I remember that story (and remember hearing the new sirens on the TV), but I don't think I've ever heard one in the flesh. Seemed like a great idea to me, are they only in certain areas or did they fail to change them in the end I wonder?
We have 5 different ones on our fire appliance. We change them as we approach new hazards to grab attention. Such as roundabouts and crossings
Ever heard an Italian (almbulance) siren? Sounds like Tarzan.
Yeah they've changed quite a bit. Some also, I think, play a very loud recording of a siren, it sounds sort of lofi if you see what i mean! The last ambulance I worked on had a wail (weeeeeeeeeeewooooooooooo) a yelp (weeweeweeweeweewee) a ray gun (daggadaggadaggadgaadaggadaggadagga) and a sexy continental tone (baarbaarbaarbaar). We also have an air horn.
General use is:
Wail = Im coming
Yelp = I'm here
Ray gun = I'm really here, why don't you notice me!
Air horm = IMABIGYELLOWVANCOVEREDINGREENANDYELLOWREFLECTIVESTICKERSLOOKATME!
Continental= only for summer use with the windows down to pretend we work somewhere nice.
Lol!
Am I the only one who thinks that the modern ones are crap at telling you where they are ? The old nanana were great for that but now you don't have a clue until you see the lights.
European sirens explained perfectly
I'm not aware of any 'policy' decision regarding change of siren. However there are several different manufacturers of light bars and sirens. They all essentially sound the same but are each in their own way a bit different.
It may be that particularly if you are used to sirens in your local area that were perhaps manufactured by company like Premier Hazard and now it could be that Federal are subsequently fitted. You may then notice a difference in the sounds produced.
In response to the older sirens being louder than the modern ones. Yes they were. But they caused problems for those sat only two feet away from them! Modern sirens are designed to be reflected off solid structures to give a perception of louder noise. In the open countryside or motorways they have less things to bounce off, so the sound is reduced. Regularly, one of the emergency services doesn't often use their sirens on motorways, because drivers don't hear them till emergency service is only a few meters behind. In panic the driver brakes hard, resulting in the emergency service driver having to try and proceed down the motorway accelerating and then having to brake hard!
a yelp (weeweeweeweeweewee)
This one sounds pish! š
I remember one that was described as "like playing space invaders with a constipated chicken" neeeee naaaaaa niiiiiii naaaaas bi bu bi bi bi bi faffaaaĆ arrrrttttt
Something to do with some sounds carying better over distance but others being easier to pinpoint.
[url= https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/579832/two-injured-in-crash-involving-ambulance-and-car-on-north-east-road/ ]Some people don't hear them anyway![/url]
Being old, I don't understand modern sirens
If an emergency vehicle is behind you lights and horns on always brake hard and stop, best place to stop are on corners or across from another stationary vehicle. We really appreciate your help.
Yes they've changed. Why? Well really just because of who supplies them.
have they stopped using a bell then? and why does most yoof music sound like there is a siren in the track
Yeah, I miss the old sirens, not due to nostalgia, but I think the Doppler effect worked better with them. I'm probably imagining that to be honest š
Anyhow, I prefer the Ghostbusters 'ECTO 1' siren š
Bill Bailey seems to agree with you, DiscJockey.