RANT! ambulances/fire trucks with sirens on at 4am

Home Forums West Seattle Rants & Raves RANT! ambulances/fire trucks with sirens on at 4am

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 24 posts - 26 through 49 (of 49 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #666968

    MargL
    Member

    Emergency vehicle sirens are exempt from the Seattle Noise Control Ordinance at all times –

    http://www.seattle.gov/dclu/codes/noise_ord.pdf

    #666969

    sam-c
    Participant

    I do understand the original point. I heard the sirens at 4am. (they didn’t wake me up, they only infiltrated and became part of the dream I was having). they did wake up someone else, who in turn woke me up. then shortly following, I heard a helicopter heading in that direction.

    I too thought they were exceptionally loud, compared to other sirens I’ve heard at night-time. and to find out that the sirens were on Sylvan way, I’m surprised, ’cause that’s about a mile away, and I’m not on a main drag on the way there.

    Also, I’ve been up for my own insomnia reasons. While up, I’ve seen a fire truck coming down my street, with lights on, but no siren. So, it seems like there may be scenarios when they turn the siren down.

    maybe the sound level depends on the situation, or whoever is driving the truck.

    I think that waking up at night is one of the prices you have to pay for living in a city and having city services that are very necessary.

    #666970

    WSB
    Keymaster

    I nominate MargL for “answer person.” Thanks for looking it up, I got sidetracked as often happens.

    #666971

    austin
    Member

    Traci I’m pretty sure that’s actually a Robot factory, based on the noises I know robots to make and the fact that the robots sometimes escape and harass my kitties.

    #666972

    Kevin
    Participant

    A little trivia for everyone. I have had the need to call 911 on a couple of occasions over the years. We have always asked that they NOT run the siren.

    .

    I have neighbors that have done the same thing. They (SFD) are generally pretty good about honoring the request for medical issues.

    .

    Sometimes you don’t want to wake up the whole neighborhood.

    .

    And did you know that while the lights and sirens are “FREE” for 911 calls, private ambulance services such as AMR will actually CHARGE EXTRA if they have to “light it up” as they call it, meaning you or your insurance company pay extra for the lights and siren.

    .

    #666973

    christopherboffoli
    Participant

    I’d imagine that having to race to the scene of an emergency significantly increases the risk of accidents and endangers the ambulance crew and other drivers on the road. Despite that loud siren and all of those colored flashing lights people STILL do not see emergency vehicles in intersections. Some drivers will also panic and block the road or turn in unpredictable ways when an emergency vehicle approaches. A private company like AMR obviously does not have the deep pockets that a county or city would have to cover the extra liability.

    #666974

    JoB
    Participant

    If the emergency is at yours and is the kind of emergency where a few seconds could make the difference between life and death.. do you want them to be considerate of your neighbors and drive more slowly so they can avoid using the sirens to warn pedestrians and drivers that they are coming through? probably not.

    When your emergency is not quite so immediate… asking them not to use sirens is the considerate and apparently thrifty thing to do. Thanks Kevin for letting us know we have that option.

    #666975

    tsunaminw
    Member

    I would like to see tickets issued to ignorant people who think that while living in the city limits they are entitled to a silent night after choosing to leave a window open. I lived downtown and had sirens 2-4 times a night, and regardless of my sleep it comes with the territory. Those people are going to save a life or a home, and the sirens warn others no matter how few on the road that they are coming, it allows them to get to the destination safer, and faster.

    You people need to get a life, if that is the extent of your problems, you have no problems except being a whiny busybody with too much time on your hands.

    #666976

    Cait
    Participant

    LOL Tsunami, I agree. I used to live on “Pill Hill” so I guess I’m desensitized. And as someone who rather recently lit her stove on fire I was glad to hear those sirens! Once you can hear them and know they’re close you can quit gathering up your cats, fumbling around for your birth certificate and screaming at your boyfriend on the phone about leaving plastic bowls in the oven.

    #666977

    Cait
    Participant

    And a little SAT throwback for old times sake:

    whiny busybodies : WSB forums about noise :: sirens : the city.

    They happen, it’s annoying, but it’s all part of the great place we call home. KUMBAYA!

    #666978

    nuni
    Member

    tsunami, you don’t know me so please keep your insults to yourself. Thanks.

    #666979

    nuni
    Member

    First of all, somebody else even thought the sirens were much louder than normal. It wasn’t just me that heard them and thought they were really loud.

    Second of all, there are always cops/ambulances/fire trucks driving up my street considering I live across from and right next to an old folks home and the police department right down the street so I am no stranger to sirens what so ever. In this case the siren was exceptionally loud and I thought it was unnecessary considering it was like that the entire way, so unless somebody was being a complete jerk and not letting the ambulance/fire truck/cop by for at least 1/2 a mile (which I don’t see that as happening) I didn’t really think there was a reason for it to be THAT loud at 4am. That is my personal opinion and if that makes me ignorant then so be it. I don’t agree, but that is your opinion. And yes I am going to get snippy when people who don’t even know me are insulting me.

    This is the last I’m going to comment on this topic.

    #666980

    tsunaminw
    Member

    I like how you focus on the one who agreed and ignored the multiple ones who didn’t, selective hearing/reading. You have alot of time on your hands, and if experience is correct karma has a way of giving people something real to complain about just to show them that they didnt really have anything before.

    “This is the last I’m going to comment on this topic.”

    (At least now some of us have something to “Rave” about.)

    #666981

    JanS
    Participant

    I live within walking distance of 4 senior citizen retirement/nursing facilities and one disabled housing group type home. We have lots of sirens at all hours, even an automatic alarm from the group home. Does it wake me up? Yes. Do I think I;m being harrassed? Absolutely not. It is what it is…I put a pillow over my head and go back to sleep. We all react in different ways, but there really IS a reason for those sirens.It could be someone’s life on the line. I suppose it’s all in how you look at it…

    #666982

    Trick
    Participant

    I’ll take sirens over all this ranting anyday.

    Keep it down, I’m trying to sleep over here.

    #666983

    Bonnie
    Participant

    I wish my kids would stop waking me up in the middle of the night!

    Seriously Nuni, sorry you were woken up. It’s annoying but a necessary annoyance. Also, keep in mind that when you post to this forum you might not always get the responses you want. I’ve been there. LOL!

    #666984

    B-squared
    Participant

    Earplugs. Seriously.

    #666985

    Dalamar437
    Member

    The original poster simply asked if having loud sirens were necessary and expressed sleepy frustration that resulted from the noise. Many people seem to think they’re necessary and some don’t think they are under certain circumstances. What is out of line is how over-the-top and personal some people seem to be taking this post. What’s ignorant is the presumption that someone’s frustration with being abruptly awoken and bothered is somehow not ok? My understanding is that being upset about something is the entire point of a rant? People are welcome to agree and disagree with it. I don’t think being asked to remain civil is an absurd request.

    If people want to interpret this post to somehow mean that people are insensitive to someone having a medical emergency then I suggest they start their own rant to talk about insensitive people. At least this post would remain on topic.

    Publicly stating an opinion or frustration doesn’t mean you have too much time on your hands. It doesn’t mean you’re self centered and shockingly… It doesn’t mean you’re insane! It just means you’re human.

    #666986

    tsunaminw
    Member

    Anyone can rant, and the Reply button is for those who disagree and think they should get a life.

    And yes, wanting sirens to be turned off because you choose to have your window open and then cant sleep, while someone is in need of immediate emergency care is insane and self centered. And they can always find a few others who agree and think it is reasonable.

    Most, don’t.

    #666987

    JanS
    Participant

    to the posters like tsunaminw…nuni is far from crazy. I may disagree with her, but that’s my prerogative. The personal crap on here is uncalled for. Who are you to judge this person, or any of us. I suggest we all look in the mirror, and when we find perfection, then maybe we can unload on another person on here.

    Having been on the receiving end, I totally understand where you’re coming from, Nuni.

    #666988

    WSB
    Keymaster

    Tsunami, if you don’t want to follow the rules of our site, your posts will be removed. Simple as that. Seems like you have some important things to say but there is no need to say them insultingly. Lots of places online where they don’t have these rules — but we are proud to be a site where people can disagree and discuss WITHOUT getting singed in the process.

    #666989

    tsunaminw
    Member

    I will do my best to not use the word crazy, but will continue to disagree when someone is unreasonable.

    #666990

    WSB
    Keymaster

    Thank you. Here’s our nutshell rule explanation:

    It’s OK to tell me my rules are idiotic.

    It’s not OK to call me an idiot or say I am idiotic.

    Very fine line. But that’s where we draw it. Criticize, critique, disagree with, agree with, applaud, whatever, the ideas … not the person who voiced them.

    #666991

    arborheightsdad
    Participant

    Nuni,

    Sorry you were awakened by the sirens. Perhaps it SEEMED louder than normal because of the hour and the fact that you were startled awake.

    I have a feeling that you would want aid crews responding with all their lights and sirens if you were in need of assistance, regardless of the hour. I know I would.

Viewing 24 posts - 26 through 49 (of 49 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.