Do the horns/sirens sound different on Fire trucks and Ambulances when they are driving back from a call and..

Question

When they come back from a call and the person is already dead-- when they go back (to the hospital or wherever) do they have a different siren?

Answer 1

There are several siren tones available on emergency vehicles. There isn't any protocol as to which sound to use when. It is the preference of the person driving the emergency vehicle. They will usually change the tones from time to time because the change gets people's attention who may have heard the siren for several minutes and have tuned it out by the time it catches up to them.

Answer 2

No. The person operating the lights & sirens has the option of using 3-4 different types of sounds, it might sound different depending on what buttons they are pushing, but doesn't mean anything. But usually they do not ride with sirens when someone is DOA.

Code 3 (lights and sirens) is used in emergencies only, and with ambulances they will only be using them when going to a call and going to the hospital with a victim. Some agencies have policies around residential areas, permitting them to use sirens only at certain times of the day.

Answer 3

Several companies make different type sirens but most include the Welp, Worbble, Phazer, or standard type sounds.

One company has even tested (I believe in England) a new sound which is better than the already existing sounds.

There are no specific type sounds used, for any given reason as you ask, other than when "clearing" an intersection. Emergency vehicles will (obviously) make as much "noise" as possible to insure everyone is aware an emergency vehicle is attempting to enter an intersection or otherwise dangerous roadway.

If a "patient" is declared "DOA"...no siren is normally used when returning from the call.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

Usually if the person is already dead they don't run lights and sirens.