KS Fire Department Installs a Kinder, Gentler Wake-Up Alerting System for Firehouse

The Shawnee Fire Department has installed a new station alert system designed to wake sleeping firefighters less abruptly for nighttime callouts.

The alerting system, which cost $150,000, wakes firefighters with a red light instead of a bright one and an alarm that starts softer before increasingly getting louder, KMBC reports.

The new systems, which replace the blaring horns that awaken firefighters, are designed to place less stress on the heart when firefighters are toned out in the middle of the night.

The department also hopes the new heart-healthy alerting system will make the workplace more appealing and help it attract and retain firefighters.

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Fire Breaks Out at Bel Air (MD) Apartment; 7-Year-Old Alerts Family

Fire investigators believe a space heater caused an apartment fire in Bel Air on Friday morning, damaging a small business.