The Lakewood Fire Department (LFD) officially unveiled its new, cutting-edge Fire Station Alerting System (FSAS), the Phoenix G2 by US Digital Designs, the Department shared with TLS.

The new IP-based system replaces older dispatch methods, ushering in a new era of speed, efficiency, and enhanced firefighter wellness for the rapidly growing community.

The Phoenix G2 system, a state-of-the-art solution trusted by fire departments across the nation, is designed to drastically reduce the time between a 911 call being received and units being dispatched. By automating the alert process and utilizing a high-speed data network, the system can simultaneously deliver dispatch details to multiple stations and responding units in under a second.

“In our line of work, every single second counts. By integrating the Phoenix G2, we are effectively slicing critical seconds off our turnout time,” Fire Chief Jon Yahr stated to TLS, emphasizing the critical impact of this technology on community safety. “This isn’t just about being fast; it’s about providing our firefighters with the most accurate, detailed information immediately, whether they are in the station or on the road via the integrated mobile app.”

Precision Alerting for Enhanced Safety and Health

One of the most significant features of the Phoenix G2 is its focus on firefighter health and mental preparedness. The system employs zoned alerting, ensuring that only the specific crews and units required for an incident are disturbed. This is paired with “heart-friendly” alerting, which uses soft, ramping tones and gradually increasing lighting to alert personnel without the jarring stress of older siren-based systems.

In addition to improved wellness, the system dramatically increases situational awareness:

• VoiceAlert Technology: Provides clear, automated, text-to-speech announcements of the incident details, minimizing the risk of misheard street names or call types over a crackling radio.
• Visual Reinforcement: High-contrast message signs throughout the fire stations display real-time incident data, including cross streets, business names, and specialized hazards, allowing crews to gather essential context while en route to the apparatus.
• Mobile Connectivity: The associated mobile application provides responding crews with instant verbal, written, and location alerts on their personal devices, complete with mapping and turn-by-turn navigation directly to the scene.

“The adoption of the Phoenix G2 reaffirms the Lakewood Fire Department’s commitment to utilizing advanced technology to better protect its residents and support its dedicated first responders,” Yahr said.

The system is now fully operational across all Lakewood fire stations.