Vegreville Fire Services Enhances Roadway Safety with Digital Emergency Alerts

Vegreville, AB (February 12, 2026) – Vegreville Fire Services has implemented a new digital alerting system designed to improve roadway safety for motorists and first responders when emergency vehicles are responding to or working at an incident.

The system, known as Safety Cloud and provided by HAAS Alert, sends real-time alerts to drivers through compatible navigation apps and vehicle dashboards when emergency lights are activated. The goal is to provide drivers with earlier notice of emergency activity ahead, particularly in situations where visibility is limited or traffic is moving at highway speeds.
In Alberta, legislation requires motorists to slow down and, when possible, change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles. However, emergency lights and sirens may not always provide sufficient warning.

Digital alerts supplement these visual and audible signals by notifying drivers through technology they already use.

Alerts may appear:

• In navigation apps such as Waze and Apple Maps
• On select vehicle dashboards, depending on make, model, and year (current applicable vehicles include: 2018 and newer Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles, plus 2024 and newer Volkswagen vehicles)

“When our emergency lights are activated, this system provides drivers with additional awareness so they can respond more safely. Collisions involving emergency vehicles and roadside workers remain a serious concern but this technology, combined with public awareness and responsible driving, can be a vital role in making our roads safer.

Gary Faas, Chief, Vegreville Fire Services

The system, which is presently only installed in Vegreville Fire Services’ Command/Car 1 unit, automatically engages once emergency lights are activated and does not require any action from drivers beyond using supported navigation apps or vehicles.

The Vegreville Fire Services is one of thousands of fire, police, and emergency medical agencies across North America using digital alerting technology as part of broader efforts to reduce roadside incidents and improve responder safety.

Residents are encouraged to remain alert, slow down and, when possible, move over when approaching emergency scenes.

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About Vegreville Fire Services: Vegreville Fire Services (VFS) is comprised of approximately 40 paid on-call firefighters who provide fire protection and emergency response services to the community. VFS responds to structural, grass, and wildfires, motor vehicle collisions, and a range of technical rescue incidents. The department also supports community safety through fire prevention and education initiatives, inspections and investigations, and ongoing training.

About Vegreville: Home to the World’s Largest Freestanding Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Egg), the Town of Vegreville is a growing community located approximately 100 kilometres east of Edmonton, Alberta, with direct access to Highways 16 (Yellowhead Highway) and 36—two of Western Canada’s key transportation corridors. With a steadily rising population and strong momentum in residential and commercial development, Vegreville continues to attract families, entrepreneurs, and investors seeking affordability, opportunity, and quality of life. Positioned for long-term growth in agriculture, agri-food processing, and industrial development, Vegreville offers high-speed fibre-optic internet, efficient permitting, and competitive operating costs. The Town’s Prosperity Industrial Park features fully serviced, investment-ready industrial land starting at just $50,000 per acre, making Vegreville one of the most affordable and business-friendly communities in Alberta for expansion and investment.


MEDIA INQUIRIES

Sabrina Curtis
Community Engagement Coordinator, Town of Vegreville
scurtis@vegreville.com