Norfolk Fire Division Implementing Safety Cloud Technology to Improve Public Safety During Emergency Response Operations
The Norfolk Fire Division has recently adopted HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud technology in order to improve public safety during emergency response operations. By leveraging this platform, the fire division can send important alerts to nearby motorists about approaching emergency vehicles, which can help reduce response times, minimize the risk of accidents and ultimately save lives.
Since its implementation in September, Safety Cloud has been used by the fire division on various emergency response units. It has sent over 17,000 real-time alerts to motorists through connected vehicle systems and navigation applications up until March end. The vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication technology allows drivers to receive immediate notifications when an emergency vehicle is nearby, allowing them to yield and give way safely for the responding units to pass.
Assistant fire chief Trever O’Brien expressed his gratitude for the technology and emphasized its importance in informing the public about approaching emergencies and the presence of emergency vehicles. He urged drivers to avoid emergency areas and pull over to the right and stop when an emergency vehicle is approaching. He also reminded them not to stop in roundabouts or intersections as responders may require access to these areas during emergencies.
The Norfolk Fire Division looks forward to utilizing this technology in future operations to enhance safety for both the public and emergency responders.
