We had a volunteer fire department that had a siren that could be heard all over town. No phone or radio links. Everyone came when it sounded. They also blew the noon whistle. I can still remember everyone pausing what they were doing to see if the signal continued (indicating a fire or emergency). If no further blast was forthcoming, everyone continued their conversation, work or whatever. It was like fifteen seconds on silence for the entire town at noon every day. People literally paused in mid sentence and them continued after the signal.
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