Effingham Fire Department Deploys New Alert Technology

The Effingham Fire Department has purchased and deployed a new technology - HAAS Alert, which is designed to protect both first responders and the motoring public.

Effingham Fire Chief Bob Tutko said, "The technology is 'cloud-based' and utilizes a transponder that is now mounted in four Effingham Fire Department Vehicles. When the vehicles emergency lights are activated, the on-board transponder sends an alert to the HAAS Alert Cloud which, in turn, sends a signal to vehicle based navigation systems and apps such as “WAZE” alerting the drivers to either an approaching emergency vehicle OR stationary emergency vehicles operating at the scene of an emergency."

The concept is that this technology can alert drivers to emergency vehicles operating on the roadway, thereby providing drivers with an advanced alert, which allows drivers to slow down and change lanes before approaching the scene.

According to HAAS Alert, the Effingham Fire Department is the first department in Central Illinois to utilize this technology.