Pickering Fire Services is rolling out new technology that sends warnings straight to drivers' dashboards and navigation apps before a fire truck is visible or its siren can be heard.
The city has begun implementing HAAS Alert's Safety Cloud system, a digital alerting service designed to protect emergency responders, motorists and other road users, according to a City of Pickering news release.
The system delivers in-vehicle alerts when an emergency vehicle is approaching, and also notifies drivers when fire crews are stopped at an incident and working nearby. Motorists can receive up to 30 seconds of advance warning to slow down, move over and proceed with caution.
The first installation is complete on Ladder 55, which is in service and responding out of Station 5. A total of 12 trucks will be equipped with the system over the next several weeks.
“When our community needs us, every second counts,” said Fire Chief Steve Boyd. “Getting our crews to emergencies quickly and safely, while protecting them as they work on scene, is critical. This technology gives motorists more time to make safe decisions on the road, while incorporating public safety alerts into navigation apps and in-vehicle technology that many people already use every day. By taking advantage of these features and working together, we can help prevent collisions, keep our roads safer, and ensure our crews can respond swiftly when they are needed most.”
The alerts reach drivers through channels they already use, rather than requiring a separate app or device, the release notes.
Tied to provincial law
The technology supports Ontario's 'Slow Down, Move Over' law, which requires motorists to slow down, signal and move over for emergency vehicles stopped on the roadside.
Drivers who receive an alert are being asked to react the same way they would to a siren or flashing lights: reduce speed, change lanes when it is safe, and give crews room to work.
The rollout continues over the coming weeks, with the remaining trucks brought online one at a time while remaining in active service across Pickering's fire stations.
