Tis a beautiful song really. I liked the piano, makes for good easy listening music before sleep.
I reckon the beacons on the peaks were manned by soldiers who were selected because they were either incompetent on the battlefield, most vigilant or were just too old. I will not discount the fact the they might have been voted out of their companies during the monthly company council,
"So it's one hundred and thirteen votes for Hurin eh? Sergeant Hurin, the Company has spoken. You have been voted out of Minas Tirith."
So what would an exiled beacon warden need? Aside from a study hut that can withstand heavy snow falls, he would need warm clothing, plenty of dried rations and huge quantities of fuel (animal fats or good firewood).
Any sort of beacon duty should last about one month or so me thinks.