Digital alerting protects first responders and improves response times

First responders are everyday people who simply want to help their communities. But achieving that goal comes with a great struggle.

Between the constant temptation to scroll on phones and increasingly soundproof cars, drivers on the road are more distracted than ever. Blue light services fleets are already challenged with response times, and this makes it even more difficult. When first responders struggle to get drivers’ attention on the road, it puts their lives and members of the community at risk.

But the good news is that a solution already exists – digital alerting systems. The technology is available in the UK and has been proven to improve emergency responder safety, help collision avoidance, and improve response times.

What is a digital alerting system?

A digital alerting system is an electronic notification sent directly to a driver. Any alerting vehicle or asset can be equipped with this technology. These notifications inform drivers directly into the vehicle that there is a nearby or upcoming roadway hazard and they need to slow down and move over.

Ambulances, law enforcement and fire vehicles can be equipped with digital alerting technology through a piece of HAAS Alert hardware or direct integration with leading telematics platforms, control units and other connected features that are already being used. Drivers receive alerts through leading navigation apps or compatible vehicle infotainment systems.

Drivers receive these alerts up to 30 seconds in advance before coming into contact with an emergency vehicle. As soon as an en-route, digital alerting-equipped emergency vehicle activates its lights, it will start broadcasting its location to the motoring public.

This gives drivers ample time to clear the way so emergency vehicles can meet their response times and assist members of the community in need. Technology like digital alerting is the entry point to a future where everyone is connected and first responders and civilian drivers alike can get home safely at the end of every day.

The power of digital alerting

Digital alerting is more than wishful thinking. It’s a powerful technology with proven results that’s currently available to blue light services fleets. Digital alerting has already taken off in the United States with positive results.

For example, the Columbus Fire Department in Columbus, Ohio, which is the 14th largest fire department in the United States, implemented digital alerting in the spring in 2023. In the year following implementation, the department’s research and development team studied the impact of the technology on its department. The team found that Columbus Fire saw a 15 percent reduction in struck-by collisions, along with a reduction rate in response time.

Fire, law enforcement, and ambulance services often across county lines will often respond to the same incident. These units need to travel at high speeds to reach the emergency site in a timely manner – that puts the vehicles at risk of colliding with one another at intersections along the route. Digital alerting can help reduce that risk as well.

Between 2019-2020, US-based automotive technology company HAAS Alert partnered with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Washington, D.C. Fire & Emergency Services to demonstrate the benefits of digital alerting to blue light services fleets. Their conclusion was that 95 per cent of the time, first responders notified of another responding unit in the area will begin to slow down their speed.

In Europe, HAAS Alert has already partnered with AECTECH, Apex Networks, Cradlepoint, EVAM, Samsara, Standby Group, Webfleet, and other leaders in the emergency services space. They join a robust network of providers that can help supplement and enhance digital alerting solutions around the globe.

See digital alerting in action at the Emergency Services Show

Gareth Evans, Director of Strategy and Business Development EMEA at HAAS Alert, will be at the Emergency Services Show 18-19 September to discuss emerging V2V and V2X solutions that are now in Europe. Book time with him at the show to learn how digital alerting can protect your fleet, avoid collisions on the road and improve response times.

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