Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
Jan. 28—WALLINGFORD — The Wallingford Fire Department has a new way to alert oncoming drivers of fire engines and ambulances on the road, using a warning system to keep both drivers and first responders safe.
The system is called Safety Cloud, developed by HAAS Alert, which provides notifications to vehicles’ dashboard navigation systems to alert drivers of approaching emergency vehicles. The system is integrated into a cloud network to automatically connect with the dashboards of vehicles and on mobile devices.
Currently the system works with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Volkswagen-branded vehicles, as well as through Waze and Apple Maps.
It offers up to 30 seconds of warning to the driver, giving them enough to either pull over when vehicles are passing or to slow down when approaching an accident scene ahead. It also allows emergency vehicles to be aware of their own locations when approaching intersections, to prevent any potential accidents.
The manufacturer claims that the technology has helped prevent upwards of 12 million incidents last year and is continuing to add more auto manufacturers to the network. Their data states that the alerts offer increased awareness and reduce collisions by 90 percent, and hard breaks at accident sites by 80 percent.
According to Wallingford Fire Chief James Buck, the technology hasn’t been implemented into all of their vehicles yet, but will be soon as ambulances and fire trucks are brought in for routine maintenance with the Public Works department.
Buck said that the new technology would be a boon not only for the drivers and their safety, but for first responders responding to scenes along busy roadways. He also said it prevents operational nightmares for the department should an accident occur, as engines being out of service reduces their capabilities but are also extremely expensive to repair.
“We have our firefighters, our EMTs, our police officers, and in some cases we have public works crews, we have tow operators. They are all at risk, and this is just one way to get that message out there that, hey, there’s emergency traffic ahead, slow down,” said Buck.
He added that the advanced warning is especially useful in a state like Connecticut, where in the winter season severe weather and ice reduce braking distances. Having the alert can enable drivers to safely reduce speed far sooner and prevent further accidents around emergency vehicles.
Buck said that he had experience working with the technology when he worked as deputy chief of operations in Stratford in 2022. He noted that, even in such a short time frame the technology has evolved considerably and that it has been an effective tool in ensuring drivers slow down on the road.
“What they are able to show is in the vehicle data they have when these alerts go out that vehicles are, for the most part, obviously it’s never universal, vehicles are heeding these alerts, they’re slowing down, moving over, and that’s the important thing,” Buck said.
He added that the alerts often compel people to be less likely to engage in risky behavior, noting that some people try to use passing emergency vehicles as a means to get ahead in traffic.
“Sometimes people are following emergency vehicles because that will be their quickest way through, and that’s really shortsighted and can lead to some disastrous consequences. So if people are getting the message that, hey, there’s an emergency vehicle ahead, and that instantly triggers for them a slowdown, then that is, that’s the desired outcome. We want our responders to be safe and all people working at those emergency scenes to be safe.”
Mayor Vincent Cervoni, who approved the use of the technology, stated that it was a positive investment in the emergency services. The Safety Cloud investment also comes as the department brings online its third ambulance earlier this month, further bolstering its municipally-provided EMS services.
He also added that the alerts might also give drivers advanced warning and give them a chance to reroute around the area, decreasing traffic congestion around accident and emergency areas.
“Anything that provides more information, people is a positive thing,” Cervoni said. “So this provides near real time alerts, and allows residents to know how incident response is going to impact their travel throughout town. That will allow people to either be aware and alert as they approach a situation or to potentially reroute, so it’s a situation where there’s a dual benefit. Rerouting means they can avoid the accident area, and it’s also a benefit for responders with less traffic.”
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