HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) — If you’re driving in Homewood and there is a fire truck responding to an emergency call nearby, a warning alert will automatically pop up on your GPS app.
The alert intends to give drivers a warning to slow down and pull over in hopes of preventing an accident.
“Responding to calls is probably one of the most dangerous things that we do,” said Homewood Fire Chief Brandon Broadhead.
Broadhead said across the country firefighters and first responders are injured daily while working on the side of roadways and responding to emergency calls.
Often times, he said, it’s because drivers are distracted, unaware that an emergency vehicle is nearby which can lead to accidents.
“A lot of times drivers are not alerted until we are right on top of them and that creates a sense of panic for them to get out of the way,” said Broadhead. “This system allows a little bit further notice, which allows drivers a little more time to react calmy and not in a very erratic manner.”
It’s one reason why the department has invested in the $3,500 HAAS Digital Alert System, placing them in each of their firetrucks.
Chief Broadhead said it’s also personal as his mother survived an accident as a result of a police chase years ago.
He said he wants to prevent anything similar from happening to others.
“The HAAS alerting works through apps you probably use every day. Whether it be through their Waze app or Google maps, and it just notifies the driver and will alert them on their route that an emergency vehicle is heading on their route and on their rear,” said Chief Broadhead.
At this time, Homewood Fire is the only department in the city with this technology.
Homewood City Councilor Jennifer Andress said the Homewood City Council approved the investment of this equipment last year, as they believe it will help protect both drivers and first responders.
“For Homewood, we’re sort of in a unique situation in that we have a lot of state roads and interstates that go through Homewood. So, we have some traffic that comes through those municipalities and can get heavy on the roads sometimes, so nothing is more important than public safety,” said Andress.
The post Alabama Fire Department installs new technology to prevent first responder accidents on emergency calls appeared first on WHNT.
