The Wichita Fire Department is joining many in the U.S. implementing an alert system to keep firefighters safe. Utilizing Google's WAZE global positioning and maps system, when fire trucks or ambulances leave the station an automatic digital notification tells drivers when emergency vehicles are approaching.
Wichita Fire Deputy Chief Ray Hensley says in just October, Sedgwick County Fire District 1 sent over 21,000 alerts to drivers. The alerts appear on the cars’ navigation and entertainment screens and drivers’ cell phones through GPS. The WAZE App, can be installed on smart phones and many car model's entertainment and navigation systems.