Detroit rolls out alerts for safer police and fire response

Detroit has become the largest US city to implement a real-time emergency vehicle alert system across all of its fire and select police vehicles.

The decision builds on a 10-month pilot with HAAS Alert in which ten fire vehicles were equipped with the system. Over that period, the technology sent more than 108,000 alerts to drivers, warning them when emergency vehicles were nearby.

The platform delivers digital alerts through navigation systems such as Waze and Apple Maps, as well as directly into certain connected cars, including Stellantis models from 2018 onward and Volkswagen vehicles from 2024.

“Our emergency response times are now at historic lows–and with HAAS Alert, we now have another tool in our toolbox to help reduce collisions while we respond to calls for service,” said Chuck Simms (pictured), Executive Fire Commissioner. “We’re grateful to city council for their continued investment in public safety and for helping make this milestone possible.”

The platform also includes a Responder-to-Responder feature to reduce the risk of collisions between emergency vehicles. Police have tested the system on nine vehicles and will now expand it to patrol cars across every precinct and to task-force units.

“HAAS Alert’s Responder-to-Responder technology will help ensure our officers are better protected while driving and allow us to coordinate more efficiently during emergencies,” said Todd Bettison, Police Chief. “It’s a significant upgrade for both our officers and the residents they serve.”

The initiative is also tied to Detroit’s broader innovation agenda. HAAS Alert opened a Detroit office at Newlab in the Michigan Central innovation district in 2024 and has worked closely with city departments to adapt the platform for local use.

Melia Howard, Deputy Mayor, said the project demonstrated Detroit’s shift from catching up to leading in technology adoption.

“From piloting new technologies to full-scale deployment, Detroit is showing what a commitment to innovation and equity can look like in public service,” she said.

Image: HAAS Alert/City of Detroit