One might think that communication has become so instantaneous in our age that “old-fashioned” equipment, like the megaphone, would be obsolete by now. Sure we have text messages and our cell phones are just an elbow’s reach away, not to mention that we now spend a fair amount of our quality time online. However, in a critical high-octane fire emergency, nothing beats a fire chief shouting instructions after the subsequent fire alarm. The noise is deafening, but it works to save lives. There is no doubt about it: in a world amidst instant communication, this device has stood the test of time and is still good to improve in quality time and time again. And there are a number of reasons why this is so.
First, because it is a device that can be used literally anywhere and everywhere. It can be used outdoors and indoors just as effectively for a good number of newer models. It can be used by a second grade teacher to line up her class in the school gym or on the soccer field in the same way. As this example illustrates, it not only becomes useful in emergency situations, but also in many other cases. If I were a large group tour operator, I wouldn’t dream of running my tours without one. I can use it to easily direct and call any lost or missing person, particularly children in the given area at any given time. It is also very useful in outdoor recreational activities, such as most outdoor sports, boat races, group dynamics and the like.
Second, because a megaphone has multiple functions beyond amplifying the voice. If in the event that a fire alarm system fails to sound in the event of a fire, the siren is loud enough to fill the hallways of any given area, alerting residents to its noise. Close enough, this can activate the Dorgard system of a fire door installed on it, preventing the flames from spreading any further. It has a whistle feature that also screeches for the same purpose making people respond quickly. These additional features provide the responsible person or fire marshal with an ingenious safety tool such as a “manual alarm and public address system”. Obviously, simply texting a person trapped in a burning building to “jump” into a firefighter’s safety net won’t cut it.
I’m sure we all have (and love) our portable communication devices for the instant exchange of day-to-day information. However, our local fire marshal especially advises us that good old-fashioned things work in emergency situations, and this is perhaps the perfect example. When the fire alarm goes off and everyone goes crazy, one couldn’t be more grateful to have a megaphone ready for action at any given moment. It is an indispensable versatile and emergency device and “the reliable old man” that has a relatively low cost but can save what is priceless for us.