The Last Archive The Siren Myth
May 15, 2025
Jonathan Beyer, former EMT and now medical director for Berrien County Health Department, shares his insights on the unexpected downsides of loud ambulance sirens. He discusses how these sounds can impact health and learning, challenging traditional emergency protocols. Beyer highlights a significant shift in Berrien County's response strategies, sparking both public backlash and new perceptions of urgency. The conversation weaves in fascinating historical context and examines how we’ve adapted our understanding of emergencies, inviting listeners to rethink what we really need from emergency services.
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Ben's Siren Noise Log
- Ben Naddaff-Hafrey logged siren noise near his Brooklyn home to assess its impact.
- He discovered sirens are constantly loud, disruptive, and disturb neighborhood dogs like Davey.
Health Impact of Loud Sirens
- Sirens produce sounds between 110 to 130 decibels, which can damage hearing.
- Noise experts link loud sirens to health risks including stress, poor sleep, and heart disease.
Lights and Sirens Risk vs Benefit
- Using lights and sirens raises ambulance accident risk by over 50%.
- They save about 1.5 to 3.5 minutes, which is rarely critical except in cases like cardiac arrest.