Columbus unveils new fire response technology

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Four Columbus fire stations will be getting technology that is meant to help first responders get better rest during a 24-hour shift.

A shift like that can be challenging. Firefighters are usually woken up several times throughout the night.

“The thought of sleeping just isn't a thing. It's more just rest. And not a true sleep," Battalion Chief Jeffrey Geitter said.

In all but one Columbus fire station, no matter the type of call, everyone at the station hears the alarm to go.

“The majority of our runs in the Columbus Division of Fire are medical related. So the paramedic vehicles go out often multiple times a night in certain stations. And so everyone at that station is now woken up for an incident they don't need to respond on," Geitter said.

That is not the case at Station 16 in North Linden. It has a system where bedrooms are assigned to vehicles. Then when a call comes in, only the rooms for the needed vehicles are alerted. A notification plays over a speaker in the rooms and there is also a light. Columbus City Council recently approved $600,000 for the system, made by Locution Systems Inc., to be added to other fire stations.

“We know that giving them a better quality of life will make everybody safer in the city of Columbus just being able to respond with a clearer head," said Councilmember Emmanuel Remy.

The stations were chosen based on call volume and if they have individual rooms which are needed to have the system, according to Geitter.

“It matters because firefighter health and safety as well as the community’s safety will benefit from this technology, in the sense of it reduces our injuries because we are more rested. And it reduces mistakes that could be made if you’re awake for 24 hours which are our shifts," he said.

Geitter and Remy also said it's likely any new fire station from here on out will likely be built with the newer alert system.