Reviving Vintage Fire Sirens in Small-Town America

Richard Twomey, a structural fire protection engineer, shares his unique passion for locating, restoring, and reinstalling retired Federal Signal fire sirens in towns with volunteer fire departments. Twomey's journey began with winning a 1983 siren from central Pennsylvania at a Municibid auction, which he meticulously restored and donated to the Jamesburg Fire Department in New Jersey after their existing siren failed.

Twomey's expertise extends beyond just technical know-how, as he highlights the rich history behind these sirens and their role in alerting firefighters before modern communication methods. He recounts the fascinating origins of fire sirens, from civil defense purposes during World War II to serving as backup alerts today when radio pagers fail. Twomey's dedication ensures these audible artifacts remain woven into the fabric of close-knit communities.

At the core of this episode are themes of historic preservation, the satisfaction of skilled restoration work, and the niche cult following around vintage fire equipment. Twomey illuminates the challenges of reviving obsolete machinery and shares his motivations for donating countless hours to this unique endeavor. The sirens take on new life as they return to service across America.

About the Guest:  

Richard Twomey is a structural fire protection engineer with over 40 years of experience in the fire service as both a volunteer and for a metropolitan fire department. He holds a degree from the University of Maryland's pioneering fire protection engineering program. In his spare time, Twomey has become an expert in restoring and reactivating retired Federal Signal fire sirens for municipalities.

Key Takeaways:

• Richard Twomey has made it his mission to locate, restore, and reinstall retired fire sirens in towns that rely on volunteer fire departments.
• He won a 1983 Federal Signal siren at a Municibid auction and spent months rehabbing it before donating it to the Jamesburg, NJ Fire Department.
• These vintage sirens served as civil defense alerts and backup emergency notification before modern phone systems.
• A niche community of siren enthusiasts has emerged united by fascination with the machinery's history and unmistakable sound.  
• While a labor of love, Twomey finds joy in the technical challenge of reviving siren technology.

Additional Resources:

• Explore the wild world of government surplus at Municibid
• Learn more about Government Surplus Vehicles: https://blog.municibid.com/the-government-surplus-vehicle-guide/ 

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