CLINTON, NJ (Hunterdon County) – South Branch Emergency Service (SBES) is enhancing road safety for both first responders and motorists by equipping its EMS and Rescue vehicles with HAAS, a cutting-edge traffic safety technology that improves situational awareness and helps prevent accidents.

The agency’s fleet is now equipped with HAAS Alert, a cutting-edge traffic safety technology that helps improve situational awareness. Through HAAS’s Safety Cloud platform, digital alerts are automatically sent to drivers, notifying them of nearby emergency responders and allowing responders to communicate with one another.

The alerts reach drivers up to 30 seconds before they approach a roadway hazard, providing enough time to safely change lanes. These notifications are delivered through apps like Waze, as well as Stellantis’ in-vehicle Emergency Vehicle Alert System, available in 2018 and newer Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, and Volkswagen models.

This technology aims to reduce the risk of collisions and “struck-by” incidents, which are the leading cause of injury and death for emergency responders. It also addresses the growing concern of distracted driving, a significant danger faced by first responders working on busy roadways.

“This technology not only keeps us safer but also gives our team peace of mind while on the job,” said Frank Setnicky, Chief of SBES. “Given the high volume of work we do on major roadways, this system has the potential to prevent serious incidents.”

The system integrates with the vehicles’ onboard mapping, allowing responders to track incident data in real time and improve safety on scene.

“We’re always looking for ways to enhance our response and protect both our team and the public,” Chief Setnicky added. “This system is another valuable tool that helps us serve the community more effectively.”

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This article was originally published by Jay Edwards of WRNJ