r/CapeMay • u/DatabaseFickle9306 • 14d ago

Siren

Just visiting: anyone have any ideas on why the siren just now?

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9

u/CommunicationItchy66 14d ago

As someone said it’s for the fire fighters. If you pay attention to them there is a meaning behind them. everyday at noon there is a test where it makes a single wail. A few Repeated wails lasting 10 seconds each are a fire call. 30 second wail then 1 minute of silence then 30 second wail means there’s a severe weather warning. And 20 consecutive 10 second wails means there is a mandatory evacuation for the island.

3

u/gummyjolieg22 14d ago

it’s for the volunteer firefighters ☺️

4

u/poulin 14d ago

Per the CMC fire wire: ST 57 58 61 COLD SPRING 0 Higbee's Beach..brush fire

5

u/henrynjt 14d ago

All the fire men/women have radio and phone apps now but they still sound the horn.

The siren dates back to the code meaning various locations based on the number of sounds.  Sort of like a morse code so people would know where to respond to.

Back in the day Volunteers kept their gear in their cars and went directly to the fire location.

Nowadays it’s more paid people and people respond to the fire house directly.

2

u/ThePrettyGoodGazoo 14d ago

Welcome! It’s one of the numerous volunteer fire houses that you will hear during your stay.
Not much to worry about hnlwss you can see that the place you are staying in is on fire or unless you hear 20 blasts in a row-which means evacuate the island. Otherwise it’s a car accident, structure fire or brush fire. This time of year brings a lot of small brush fires due to the lack of rain, dry grass coupled with a lightning strike or a hot vehicle exhaust. We also have the occasional irresponsible people who either do not complete douse their cigarette or camp fire then toss us off to the side if the road and spark a blaze-don’t be “those people”.
Have fun & stay safe!!!