Like so many other things, one's opinion depends on one's perspective. I, for instance, hate the sound of a siren, In my opinion there has never been a happy siren. Even on Independence Day when fire trucks moan their small scale sirens, I don't like it. To me, it seems like bell ringing would get just as much attention - in traffic and whatever - and wouldn't carry for blocks around.

The other perspective: A schoolteacher friend tells me that they teacher the youngsters to say when they hear a siren, Somebody's getting help!

It's all in perspective.