Siren (noisemaker)

This page is about a device producing loud noises. For the mythological creatures, see Siren.

A pneumatic siren. Such sirens can be found on many buildings

A siren is a device that is able to produce a loud noise. Sirens can be found on emergency vehicles, like ambulances. They are also installed on buildings, to warn of tornadoes, or air raids.

Emergency Vehicles

Vehicles used by firefighters (fire truck), police officers (police car) and paramedics/emergency medical technicians (ambulance) are often fitted a siren to warn people that the vehicle is coming and to make a clear path, usually by pulling over. These vehicles often may break some traffic laws when traveling to an emergency. If other vehicles do not stop and make a path, an accident could happen.

Air raid sirens

In World War II, many nations installed air raid sirens in cities to warn when enemy planes were coming to attack with bombs. After the war ended these sirens were kept ready to sound, in case a new war started, due to the tense relationship between the United States and Soviet Union (USSR) (Now Russia) that existed from 1947 to 1991. As weapons have gotten faster, quieter and harder to spot, the ability to provide warning before a bomb or missile falls has become difficult. A number of countries, including the United States, now use their sirens to warn of severe weather, such as tornadoes, tsunamis; emergencies at dams, chemical plants and nuclear power stations.

Siren (noisemaker) Media

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  Electronic Sirens Pavian by Telegrafia

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  A Whelen WPS electronic siren imported to Saudi Arabia by HSS Engineering for use as a Civil Defense siren.

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  There are 8,200 alarm sirens for civil protection throughout Switzerland. They are tested once a year, on the first Wednesday in February.  Sound sample (info • help)

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  Engraving of an early siren.

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  The electrically powered cylinder siren used to alert the town of Lowe­stoft during World War Two.

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  • For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme.
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  Whelen electronic siren (WPS-2750) in Milpitas, CA

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  Warning siren and emergency lights mounted on a fire truck

• Vaughan Fire rescue 729 running the Q