Manatee County Board of County Commissioners receives update on pilot program to improve emergency response times for citizens in need. The program involves giving emergency vehicles green lights at intersections to make it easier and safer for them to reach their destination. This will help save time and potentially save lives in medical emergencies.
Public Safety Deputy Director James Crutchfield emphasized the importance of quick response times in emergencies, stating that with this new technology, they estimate saving 11 seconds at each intersection. The EMS Signal Priority/Pre-emption Pilot Project will focus on traffic lights in the US 41/US 301 and SR 64 corridors. A portion of the Generational Impact funding has been allocated for this project, with 24 intersections identified along the designated corridors.
County Commission Chair Mike Rahn expressed excitement about the implementation of this system and its potential benefits for the EMS team. Collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Cities of Bradenton and Palmetto, and County EMS and Fleet Divisions has been crucial in installing field devices at traffic signal locations and activation devices in EMS vehicles. After testing and fine-tuning in May, the system is expected to be fully operational within the next week.
Public Works Director Chad Butzow highlighted the effort put into implementing this system and expressed confidence in its success. County staff will continue to monitor and adjust the system based on feedback from the EMS team and other involved agencies to ensure its effectiveness in improving emergency response times. The goal is to enhance the efficiency and safety of emergency services in Manatee County through this innovative pilot program.
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