We have a couple of departments out here on Long Island, NY that have boxes - one is New Hyde Park - and not only are there boxes, there are external air horns - known as "diaphones" that sound out the box number [[as a gong would) with ear-shattering blasts. There used to be over 20 departments with box systems, we are down to a mere handful. And the residents have almost no tolerance for sirens and air horns.