Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service has become the first in Ireland to install a new warning system to its emergency response vehicles. It's clear that even with sirens and lights, many drivers don't always pay attention to emergency vehicles trying to get through traffic, and so this new digital alert system aims to get the message through.
How does the system work?
Currently fitted to eight of Carlow's fire brigade vehicles, the 'Safety Cloud' digital alert system transmits a warning signal that can be picked up by phone apps such as Apple Maps and Waze, as well as some built-in vehicle navigation and alert systems.
It doesn't just alert you that a fire engine is coming up close behind you but also flashes up the locations of fire brigade vehicles on your in-car map so that you can either have more time to respond and find somewhere safe to pull in or simply to re-route yourself away from the scene of an incident.
Will it help?
“Drivers can be easily distracted, and this new software will give them advance notice of their proximity to an emergency vehicle or scene,” said Ben Woodhouse, Acting Chief Fire Officer of Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service. Our emergency drivers are highly trained in line with the RSA's Emergency Service Driving Standard and use traditional alerting methods - such as blue lights and sirens - alongside this new technology. This means drivers will have a longer response time to react and adjust to any changes to their commute or new road hazards. The aim is that this technology will result in a safer community by protecting emergency vehicle drivers and ordinary road users alike.”
HAAS Alert, the company which has developed the Safe Cloud system, expanded its coverage to include Europe late last year, but this is the first time it has been used in Ireland.
What else is the Carlow fire brigade up to?
As well as the Safe Cloud system, Carlow fire brigade is innovating in other areas, and it claims to have made the most environmentally friendly fire engine of them all. Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service has collaborated with HPMP Ltd, from Tullow and Acetech Global, from Tullamore to create a Scania-based fire engine that runs on HVO biodiesel. Appropriately, the green fire machine was the first vehicle to get the Safe Cloud warning system.
“Since its launch last August, emergency drivers have noted a positive response to the alerting system," said Mr Woodhouse. “We will run a pilot for one year with eight fire service vehicles and - if it is successful - we will incorporate this software into our entire fleet.”
HPMP Ltd will install the technology into five Carlow fire engines, two SUVs and one emergency tender. “HAAS Alert is thrilled to welcome Carlow County Fire and Rescue Service to the Safety Cloud network,” added Gareth Evans, European Director of Strategy and Business Development of HAAS Alert. “We are discussing digital alerting with several emergency services and road safety organisations in Ireland and having Carlow as the leading service is a great showcase of their approach to innovation and safety.”