A year ago, South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) set a new standard for emergency services in Europe. By rolling out digital alerting across its ambulance fleet, SECAmb actively embraced technology to protect crews, patients, and local communities. The service’s approach shows how digital alerting can enhance safety and efficiency, providing a model for other services to follow.

Together with ACETECH and HAAS Alert, SECAmb equipped its fleet with Safety Cloud, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system that alerts drivers in real time about approaching and nearby emergency vehicles, through Waze and compatible car navigation systems.

When an ambulance approaches or attends an incident, the system notifies motorists immediately. Drivers can respond safely, and emergency vehicles move more efficiently through traffic. This proactive approach strengthens safety across Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and North Hampshire, giving crews a clear advantage in reaching patients quickly.

HAAS Alert’s mission is to build mobility solutions that transform global roadway safety. Working with ACETECH to fully-equip the first European ambulance fleet was a crucial and exciting step forward in that mission. We remain impressed by SECAmb’s commitment to innovation and safety.

The initiative also highlights the value of strong collaboration. SECAmb works closely with ACETECH and HAAS Alert, leveraging real-time analytics to monitor performance and refine processes. This partnership shows how organisations can unite around innovation to drive meaningful, practical change – and deliver benefits far beyond frontline operations.

The first anniversary of this deployment underscores that digital alerting is not just a technological upgrade; it is a strategic advantage. Departments that implement these solutions early position themselves to improve safety, efficiency and public trust. Those that delay adoption risk missing out on the benefits that SECAmb has already realised.

“This pilot also aligned with one of our key department objectives – Striving for Continuous Improvement. Safety Cloud has been crucial in creating safer and more efficient roads in the South East. In addition to traditional light and siren warnings, motorists now also receive digital alerts much earlier, creating a safer experience for both the motorists and our operational staff.”

Robert Martin, Fleet Services Manager, South East Coast Ambulance Service.

Looking ahead, SECAmb continues to explore ways to expand and optimise digital alerting across its operations. The service’s leadership sets a benchmark for modern ambulance operations across Europe, demonstrating how technology, collaboration and a focus on community safety can transform emergency response. By actively embracing innovation, SECAmb ensures that crews, patients, and road users alike benefit from safer, more efficient journeys – today and into the future.

This milestone celebrates more than a year of successful deployment; it celebrates the vision, teamwork and commitment that made it possible. SECAmb’s pioneering work proves that when emergency services take bold steps and work with trusted partners, they can deliver meaningful improvements for their communities and set a clear example for others to follow.

This article was originally published by the Emergency Services Times