Big Rapids, MI

Part 1: Big Rapids Big Rapids is a city in Mecosta County, Michigan with a population of 10,601. It is the county seat of Mecosta County, and is the home to Ferris State University.

Part 2: Original System On September 27, 1970, Federal Signal Corporation manufactured 5 sirens destined to be installed in Big Rapids. They were 3 (three) Federal Signal Thunderbolt 1000Ts, and 2 (two) Federal Signal 2T22s. They were installed at an unknown date in the following locations: Thunderbolt 1 [Site 1]: BIg Rapids DPW (Chopper ?, 4M, A2, ⅚) Thunderbolt 2 [Site 2]: Mecosta County Fairgrounds (Chopper 4, 4M, A2, ⅚) Thunderbolt 3 [Site 3]: Atop the Business Building at FSU [Removed] (Chopper 1, 4M, A2, ⅚) 2T22 1 [Site 4]: Atop Big Rapids City Hall 2T22 2 [Site 5]: River Street Park

Part 3: University Upgrade and Mystery In 2008, Ferris State University decided that they needed their own system, and the Thunderbolt [Site 3] atop the Business Building was subsequently removed. The University purchased 3 (three) Federal Signal Modulator 3012 sirens, 2 (two) Federal Signal Modulator 4016 sirens, 1 (one) Federal Signal Modulator 5020 siren, and 1 (one) Federal Signal DSA siren. Locations are: Ice Arena (3012) Family Drive (3012) Book Store (3012) Science Building (4016) Atop Business Building (4016) Katke Golf Course (5020) Tennis Course (DSA) The DSA siren was a mystery from 2008 to 2018. The University Police Department stated that there were 7 sirens, however the 7th siren could not be found. Several enthusiasts assumed it did not exist, however on August 27 2018, the 7th siren was found to be a DSA located at the tennis center about .5 miles away from campus.

Part 4: Other Information On March 27, 2019, for the Michigan SWA drill, the Thunderbolt [Site 2] was recorded for the test, dispelling some mysteries surrounding the Thunderbolts. The Thunderbolts were figured out to be on 4M blowers, being ⅚ Port, and running about 1 minute of Attack for a Tornado Warning. The Fire Department did state that an All Clear signal was tested, most likely Alert, but it was never toned out. The University sounds in Attack for warnings, Westminster Chimes for All Clear, and Hi-Lo and Voice for tests. My Mother attended classes on the Business Building in the ‘90s, and she did state that the Thunderbolt shook the building when it was tested! It sounded at a very low frequency and was on Chopper Level 1, along with the blower being installed inside the building!