Tempest T-128 Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Oakbrook Terrace has 2 sirens mounted - a ASC Tempest T-128 and a Whelen Vortex R4 or 4004. I was shocked to find that the Whelen was the one that is deactivated and the Tempest is active. It's no poor decision though, even though Oakbrook Terrace is a small town this one siren easily warns the whole town and parts of neighboring towns. The FS2001 at Federal Signal's HQ (which I posted last month) can be just heard before this one sounds (despite only being a mile away). Both sirens claim 130db at 100ft, but this one seemed easily twice as loud. Perhaps it is the lower frequency that registers more clearly.

Siren location: 17W275 Butterfield Road, Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Time: Tuesday, 10/7/08, about 10:03 AM (video starts at about 10:00, siren is about 2:45 in)
Camera: Panasonic MiniDV Cam

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• American
• Signal
• Tempest
• T-128
• siren
• tornado

[murrfarms]

I'd be willing to bet that the Whelen might be a fire department siren (if the sirens are next to a FD), and the T-128 is a city siren. Sounds stupid, I know, but I've seen a LOT of municipalities do that sort of setup, especially in Illinois.

[asirenguy]

Actually, the FD is right across the street and has a grungy Model 5 mounted. That one doesn't get tested either.

[wesbizket]

i here a t135 siren

[asirenguy]

I'm pretty sure you don't. All the nearby sirens are Whelen rotating sirens, FS2001's, or Elmhurst's brand new Tempest T-121's (which replaced a bunch of perfectly good Thunderbolt 1000's).

[thecompanycar]

They did use the Whelen, which is why they switched to using the T-128.

[thecompanycar]

I know what this is in the video. I was referring to what the ASC website says. Perhaps you should read what is being said in it's entirety before posting a comment.

[Marc7665]

deactivated a damn good siren... WHY?????

[neosho53059]

2001's suck the t-128 sounds alot better!!!

[mohkfry]

@amtrak3501 DuPage County, Illinois. Its a suburb of Chicago.

[amtrak3501]

nice video! what county is Oak Brook Terrace?

[TspesVladD]

Maybe that one is used for fire calls.

[TspesVladD]

Yeah, there's definately whelens heard in the beginning.

[number13lucky]

yah lol i live in illinois and i know what you mean. i live right almost dead center of the state (almost) in Lewistown and idk for sure but possibly we have a t-bolt (we have multiple across town, but i mean the one closest to my house) . idk if its the 2001 or 2003 version, but i love its sound!

[BellyJae]

thats weird that they'd spent double the money on double the sirens, when all they had to do was use a different tone or call for different situations.