acton mass is removing their fire boxes

[agent yo'range]

from the 2025 town report

Fire Alarm Division Acton’s Municipal Fire Alarm system, installed in
1930 by Earl Hayward, originally allowed residents to report fires via
red street- or building-mounted fire alarm boxes, which transmitted
coded telegraph signals to alert the fire department. The system
expanded to more than 450 boxes, including 223 master boxes, 182
street, 20 medical boxes, and 36 radio boxes, providing fast,
reliable, location-specific alarms 126 before voice communication and
911 existed. Master boxes in schools, factories, and municipal
buildings automatically transmitted alarms from internal systems,
while street boxes were publicly accessible. With advances in 911 and
central monitoring technology, the municipal fire alarm system has
become largely redundant. Beginning this fall and over the next two to
three years, Acton will be decommissioning the system due to obsolete
technology, rising maintenance costs, false alarms, and vandalism. The
removal process will start with street boxes, followed by master
boxes, with property owners having been notified of necessary
upgrades. For residents, 911 remains the primary method for reporting
fire or medical emergencies. The Fire Alarm Division currently
maintains the system wiring on utility poles and decoding equipment at
the four fire stations and the Public Safety Building, operating
across 15 circuits and three tie-lines. Responsibilities include
routine maintenance, pole transfers, box refurbishments, and banner
installation for community events. The division also supports other
projects and continues coordinating with MassDOT on intersection
improvements, including wiring relocations for the near-completion of
the Kelly’s Corner project. Captain/EMT Kris Ellicks – Fire Alarm
Superintendent Captain/Paramedic Jim Byrne – Fire Alarm Lineman

(what happens when the 911 system goes down? you better know the
backup phone numbers - the real numbers - and your cellphone netter be
charged up - and the cell towers better not be down - zerg90)