The New Melle Fire Protection District was awarded a Missouri Highway Safety grant to expand the use of the HAAS Alert Safety Cloud® system, an innovative technology that improves safety for emergency responders and motorists during roadway emergencies.
The grant will fund the installation of HAAS Alert units in eight additional district emergency response vehicles. When emergency lights are activated, or crews are operating on roadways, the system automatically sends real-time digital alerts to nearby motorists via Waze, Apple Maps, and compatible in-vehicle infotainment systems. It is included in many 2018 and newer Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles, as well as select Volkswagen models.These alerts provide drivers with up to 30 seconds of advance warning that an emergency vehicle is approaching or that first responders are working ahead, giving motorists valuable time to slow down, move over, and safely navigate the area.
Roadway incidents remain among the most hazardous environments for firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement officers, and highway workers. Secondary crashes continue to pose a significant risk to responders and the public. By providing motorists with earlier warnings, HAAS Alert helps reduce those risks and creates a safer working environment for everyone on the scene.
"Every second of advanced warning can make a difference," said Assistant Fire Chief Joshua Ellis. "This grant allows us to expand technology that helps protect our firefighter paramedics while also making Missouri's roadways safer for the traveling public."
The district's three newest fire apparatus were already equipped with HAAS Alert technology. With this grant, New Melle Fire will expand the system to additional frontline response vehicles, increasing coverage across its emergency fleet and enhancing responder safety throughout the district. The district anticipates that all eight newly funded vehicles will be equipped and operational by the end of the year, bringing this life-saving technology to the majority of its frontline response fleet.The Safety Cloud System can also provide statistics and feedback to the organizations that use this safety feature. In June 2026, 587 drivers were alerted that an NMFPD emergency vehicle was approaching, giving drivers time to respond by slowing down and, if needed, pulling over before the trucks arrived.
The New Melle Fire Protection District extends its sincere appreciation to the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Highway Safety Program for their continued commitment to protecting first responders and improving roadway safety throughout Missouri.