Sirens
By vicki2876
@vicki2876 (5636)
Canada
November 27, 2007 10:00am CST
When I was in the city I always seemed to life near a fire station or police station. So we were very used to hearing the sirens go off as the trucks sped out at least every hour. We wouldn't even notice them really. But once I came to this rural community I noticed that when an emergency vehicle would go by everyone would go look out the window or door to look. It is rare to hear one even though I still live near a fire station. Maybe once every two to three weeks if that. People here say they look because it is such a small area and everyone is either related or know each other that when they hear it they wonder who is in need of emergency because it is likely they know them. That to me makes perfect sense. In the city we knew it wasn't anyone we knew so we didn't react. When my daughter was visiting in the city she heard a siren and went to look and the people laughed and said yup she has been in the country long enough.
How do you react to sirens?
2 people like this
10 responses
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
28 Nov 07
When it is all the time it becomes just another sound I tune out. Like when I first came here I really noticed the crickets at night but now I don't
@jsaidmlt (147)
• Malta
27 Nov 07
I live in a busy city and I am used to sirens, especially ambulance or police sirens. I recently joined the police force too, so I got even more used to all types of sirens... But where my girlfriend lives in a small rural village where everone knows each other, everytime they hear a siren everyone starts to get worried, just as you said. Personally I am not affected much due to the constant sirens I hear at work.
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
27 Nov 07
Congrats on getting into the police force! Good Luck and be careful! Vicki
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
28 Nov 07
I cry when I hear sirens. I was leaving the hospital today after visiting my mother and an ambulance was coming and I am sitting in the car balling my butt off. I have always reacted that way.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
27 Nov 07
We have sirens that signal a call for the volunteer firefighters that there is a fire call. I also used to live in a rural community that had these sirens, and I was one of the volunteer fire fighters there, so when they went off I would jump and run to respond. And it's funny because the first few times I heard it here, it was like something inside me was saying grab the gear and go, lol. However, as for the sirens on the trucks, I don't really pay much attention to them. I now work for the forestry as a fire patrolman, and my s/o is in law enforcement so we really don't pay much attention to them. I too lived in the city where you constantly heard some type of sirens, and other than thinking 'oh thats a fire truck or that's an ambulance' you become indifferent to them.
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
28 Nov 07
It is wonderful you volunteered your time with the fire department in the rural community. Thanks for sharing
@raychill (6525)
• United States
27 Nov 07
I don't pay them any mind. I live in the suburbs, but not the suburbs suburbs... if that makes any sense.
See the way I look at it is the same way I look at rubber necking. You know how someone is pulled over or there is an accident and all the cars slow up because they want to see what's going on? I can't stand that! and I don't do it!
I've asked people why they do do it and they always say it's because they wonder if it's someone they know.
I wouldn't want to find out that way.
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
27 Nov 07
Gosh I hear ya! I wouldn't want to know either. Thanks Raychill
@honnasiri (30)
• India
28 Nov 07
i live in bangalore. and as crazy as the city can get, the hectic traffic blocks even ambulances from getting around. recently there was this rally by a political party and there was an ambulance stuck right next to me. i guess that the irony of the politics in the country. but that apart there should should some thing like a dedicated lane for ambulances to easily get to their destination
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
28 Nov 07
That would be good. If it was me who needed it I wouldn't want it delayed for traffic Thanks
@saiearnsmoney (204)
• India
28 Nov 07
i am used to go through highway and there i always here ambulance sirens but i pray for whom there is suffering
@whywiki (6066)
• Canada
27 Nov 07
I lived in the sticks for a few years and you're right we would all walk out to the road and look to see what was going on because you knew your neighbours and cared. The volunteer fire dept. used to practice around the corner from our place and I used to forget and would walk all the way up the road to check it out then remember it was Thurs. night. Then the one time the house up the street caught fire and burnt to the ground I ignored the sirens and it was actually a fire! Now I am back in the city and live around the corner from the ambulance station and hear sirens daily and just tune them out musch like the train that passes twice a day. I sure miss the country.
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
27 Nov 07
I used to live near an airport and I tuned that out too. It is quiet here but sure is hard to get anywhere with broken down cars. Thanks
@spiderlizard22 (3444)
• United States
28 Nov 07
I just ignore them if it doesn't concern me. That is what I do. Sirens are very loud.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
28 Nov 07
I hear them more in the distance now and only so often. Most times its peace and quiet. Now Vicki as for going and reacting to some, it happens. Especially if it hits closer to home or work. Its kind of hard to avoid, and its worse when not a lot happens. Even the cops act a bit "giddy" though that might be me being picky about it. The last time a situation hit close to home, it was a horrible teenage driver. He crashed into one of the trees in the right of way... but he came in an hit it at an angle...from the sidewalk... Yes class, he didn't swerve off the road to hit the tree... he was already off the road then hit the tree.
