Irmo Fire Department's New Tech: A Lifesaver for Drivers

Imagine you're driving and suddenly, your phone pings. Not a text, but a warning that an emergency vehicle is nearby. That's the magic of the new "HASS Alert" system the Irmo Fire Department is rolling out. This tiny tech sends alerts to popular apps like Apple Maps and Waze. What's the big deal? It tells drivers when an emergency vehicle is blocking a lane or approaching an intersection. Assistant Chief Sloan Valentino says it's a safety net for both drivers and firefighters. Sometimes, lights and sirens just don't cut it.

Irmo Fire recently bought three new trucks, all equipped with this system. They're not stopping there. The department is working to add this tech to their other vehicles. It's like giving distracted drivers a heads-up. And get this: the system also lets the fire department track their vehicles and see which units are at an incident. Plus, they're planning to upgrade their cameras for extra security. High school driver Kelly McRoberts thinks this is a game-changer. She believes it could save lives and hopes more emergency vehicles follow suit. It's all about keeping everyone safe on the roads.

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