Revisionist History Running Hot
95 snips
Apr 10, 2025 
Jonathan Beyer, a former EMT and medical director for the Berrien County Health Department, shares fascinating insights on the evolution of emergency response. He challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding ambulance sirens, revealing minimal benefits and significant risks linked to their use. The discussion dives into the historical influence of the 1970s TV show 'Emergency!' on public perceptions and training. Beyer also highlights innovative changes in Berrien County that successfully reduced non-emergency responses, transforming how we think about urgency in medical services.
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Noisy Brooklyn Neighborhood
- Ben Nadav-Haffrey and his wife Julia Conrad tracked siren occurrences in their Brooklyn neighborhood.
- They logged 24 instances in a single day, highlighting the frequency of noise.
Dangerous Siren Levels
- Emergency vehicle sirens can reach 110-130+ decibels, causing potential hearing damage.
- The Federal Q2B siren, commonly used by fire trucks, is 123 decibels, nearing the threshold of pain.
The Howling Dog
- Ben's research included documenting siren noise and the reactions of a neighborhood dog.
- He hoped the dog's apparent distress could be leveraged to raise awareness about excessive siren use.