Sirens Or Bells?

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 3

Sirens Or Bells?

Sir,—l heartily agree with "P.M.L.” in his plea for replacement by bells of the sirens used by fire engines, police cars, and ambulance*. In the day time these sirens shatter the nerves and fray the tempers of those unfortunate in the near vicinity, and at night the sirens can be heard for miles, waking young and old and, quite probably, patients in hospitals. Surely at night the flashing red lights on the vehicle offer ample warning to oncoming traffic?—Your*, etc., R. B. HARVEST. February 8. 1962.

Sir. —If we are to have music wherever the hre engine goes, let it be almost anything but the present supercharged ululations that are far too suggestive of air raids, gangster filnu, and other scenes of violence. Besides, the fire service is an admirable institution and deserves a better signature tune than the sort of now* with which, one imagines, the primeval world reechoed. as the mating call of mastodons or the petulant protestation* of some pterodactyl in a good deal of pain. —Yours, etc., MT. February 9, 1962