UK ambulance service implements digital alert system for drivers

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) in the UK has implemented a digital alert system to let drivers know when an ambulance is responding to an emergency nearby.

Working in partnership with Acetech and Haas Alert, the digital alert system sends a notification to compatible devices such as smart phones or vehicle navigation systems alerting drivers to a nearby ambulance either moving through traffic or when stationary responding to emergency calls.

Navigation apps

With ambulances responding to thousands of calls every year, the alert system aims to help make roads safer by allowing ambulance crews to reach an incident as quickly as possible, reducing conveyance times and allowing drivers to plan alternative routes to avoid emergency incidents.

Alerts are delivered to drivers through leading navigation apps including Waze and Apple Maps. Alerts will also become available through new compatible vehicles as they come to the market.

“Following a successful trial across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, we’re really pleased to introduce the new digital alert system which will help us keep our ambulance staff, patients and communities as safe as possible”

Drivers can receive the alerts, potentially in advance of seeing or hearing a vehicle’s blue lights and sirens without the need to sign up or download anything.

Following a successful trial of the system towards the end of last year, the alert system has been installed across SECAmb’s ambulance fleet in Kent, Sussex, Surrey and North Hampshire and works using secure technology to send a notification to all compatible devices automatically.