VIDEO: When a major fire broke out in the St. Roch neighborhood on Wednesday morning, New Orleans firefighters were dispatched using the department’s new MACH Alert system.
A computer-generated voice came across the station speakers: “Engine 8, engine 14, ladder 9, squad 7, car 508, fire alarms business 1415 Franklin Avenue.”
According to NOFD Superintendent Roman Nelson, MACH Alert replaces an old and failing system that required emergency dispatchers to manually radio information to individual firehouses.
“In the old days, the fire stations, basically, every fire station just listened to the radio and heard every single call,” Nelson said. “What the fire station alerting does is it only alerts the station or stations that are assigned on that particular call.”
MACH Alert automates the entire dispatch process.
When a fire call comes in, a display board lights up with critical information. A computer voice alerts firefighters over the station’s PA system and radio. Colored lights show the emergency type — red for fire, blue for medical.
The system also prints out alert information that firefighters can grab and go.
“Unlike the old days where we had to carry around notepads and kind of scribble things down as we’re trying to get to the fire truck,” Nelson said. “Now they have everything right there where they can see and have everything documented before they even leave.”
Joe Bridges helped set up the system at the Orleans Parish Communications District.
“I have to say, comparing it to the old system, it’s a night and day difference,” Bridges said. “The server that does everything is amazing, much better than before.”
Bridges notes that the MACH system saves time in notifying responders in the field.
“With a fire, seconds count, minutes count, fire spread really quickly,” Bridges said. “So, the quicker you can get information to these firefighters, the quicker they can mobilize. The quicker they can get out the door.”
Chief Nelson points out that the clear, automated announcements also help reduce stress for his firefighters.
“The new station alerting system uses softer tones. It kind of escalates,” Nelson said. “It’s not something jarring that gets that heart rate overly jumping before they even get dispatched on the call.”
The city used $2 million in American Rescue Plan funds to pay for the system.
“We’re just trying to stay on the cutting edge of technology, so that we can efficiently and effectively serve our citizens and our visitors as well,” said Teresa Thompson, OPCD deputy director.
For now, the MACH Alert system is only being used by the New Orleans Fire Department.