i need to know if i buy a cencom do i have to use it as a siren or are all the buttons programable to control lights i dont need a siren right now but i do need good switching capabilities
Similar to the Cen Com but for less money is the Whelen 295SLSA6. This has programmable slide switch and individual buttons. It's also about 1/3 the price.
If you don't need a siren. Get a Whelen PCC8R. For the price of a cencom you could have 4 switch panels controlling 32 items. Not that you need that many switches. But you could buy a siren when you need it and wire it to the switch panel.
So, if you're not on the department right now, what do you need a switchbox/lighting control for? Why not just save up the money and buy what you need, when you need it.