Hunter
10/05/25
The Iowa City Fire Department now has a way for oncoming drivers to be alerted of their presence on the road.
The Daily Iowan reports the ICFD installed the Highway Awareness & Alert System, or HAAS, into the Battalion Chief’s command vehicle. The HAAS system is a small box that, when plugged in, will alert drivers on Apple Maps or Waze when emergency vehicles, like fire trucks, ambulances, or police cars, are nearby.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 11 percent of the 72 U.S. firefighter fatalities from 2024 occurred while firefighters were responding to or returning from emergency calls.
The system got its first full monthly test in August; Battalion Chief Zach Hickman said he hopes this will alert more drivers on busy roads like I80, which is served by Fire Station #4 on Dubuque Road.
Hickman said the station is getting a new Quint 4 aerial truck, featuring a pump, tank, hoses, ladders, and aerial ladder, in the future, helping them respond faster along the interstate.
They also have three new Pierce engines, or fire trucks with water, hoses, and pumps, expected after the start of 2026, which will also be at Station 4. All vehicles will come with HAAS Alert installed for free, including five years of free subscription, thanks to a partnership between Pierce and HAAS.