Security Expert and Public Safety Advocate Moruf Yusuf, popularly known as Ojogbon, has advised against the use of sirens when transporting deceased persons, stressing that emergency warning devices should only be used when there is an immediate need to save lives or facilitate urgent emergency response.
In Series #113 of The Secure Mind, titled "Blowing Sirens While Transporting the Deceased Is Not Advisable," Yusuf explained that the primary purpose of a siren is to alert other road users to make way for emergency responders attending to life-threatening situations.
According to him, ambulances transporting critically ill or injured patients require unrestricted movement through traffic because every second can be crucial in preserving life. However, once a patient has been confirmed dead, the justification for using a siren no longer exists.
Yusuf noted that sounding sirens while conveying the deceased often causes unnecessary panic among motorists and pedestrians, who naturally assume there is an active medical emergency requiring immediate passage.
He also condemned the misuse of sirens by individuals or organisations seeking to intimidate road users into giving way without a legitimate emergency. Such practices, he said, undermine the credibility of emergency warning systems and may reduce public responsiveness when genuine emergencies occur.
The security expert urged ambulance operators, funeral service providers and other relevant organisations to use sirens responsibly and in accordance with established laws and operational guidelines.
He emphasised that professionalism, respect for the deceased and consideration for other road users should always guide funeral transportation, adding that misuse of emergency equipment can compromise public confidence in emergency services.
Yusuf called on regulatory authorities to continue enforcing standards governing the use of sirens while encouraging motorists to always cooperate with genuine emergency vehicles responding to life-threatening situations.
"Siren use should always be conducted with due respect for those involved."
Moruf Yusuf, also known as Ojogbon, is a Security Expert and Public Safety Advocate committed to promoting security awareness through The Secure Mind series. He is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (ANIPR), Member of the Institute of Security, Nigeria (MISN), Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration (FCAI), Fellow of the Institute of Information Management (FIIM), and Member of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (MSPSP).
He concludes every edition with his enduring message:
"Just be good. Reflect. Stay alert."
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