The Hattiesburg Fire Department is rolling out a new alert system designed to improve firefighter safety, health and performance by reducing unnecessary nighttime disruptions.
The system, which will go into effect by the end of the year, will notify only the fire stations needed for each emergency call instead of alerting all stations at once. Fire officials say the upgrade will help firefighters get more consistent rest between calls — a key factor in maintaining both physical and mental health.
“Currently, all the fire stations are notified together, causing wake-ups and excessive excitement for calls that maybe only need two or three people to handle,” Assistant Fire Chief Chris Carr said. “This system will eliminate some of that unnecessary awakening and allow those guys to be fresh and ready to go when they’re needed.”
The new alert system will be funded by Forrest County Emergency Management at a cost of more than $97,000. The investment, Carr said, comes in response to studies showing that interrupted sleep can have serious long-term health effects for emergency personnel.
Professional studies have shown that frequent awakenings and high nighttime alertness can lead to chronic fatigue, higher stress levels and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Carr said the department hopes to minimize these risks while maintaining top-level service to the public.
“This system is not going to eliminate firefighters complaining about being waked up at night,” Carr said with a laugh. “But studies have shown that constant waking is detrimental to your health, and therefore this system will eliminate some of that unnecessary awakening and allow those guys to be fresh and ready to go when they’re needed.”
For many firefighters, the change will be a welcome improvement. Spencer Taylor, Station 1 B-shift captain, said repeated wake-ups during the night can take a toll on the body, even when firefighters aren’t called to respond.
“Anytime you’re awakened immediately, your cortisol and stress levels rise,” Taylor said. “Hopefully, with these studies and everything that’s shown, it’s going to help alleviate all of that and lessen those times we’re awakened in the night.”
The department currently uses a centralized alarm system that sends an alert to every station for each emergency call. That means all firefighters — whether they are needed or not — are jolted awake multiple times a night by alarms and radio traffic. The new system will streamline that process by targeting only the specific station or personnel required for each incident.
Carr emphasized that the new alert process will not slow down emergency response times or affect the quality of service Hattiesburg residents receive.
“It’s not going to have an effect on the ability to provide services,” Carr said. “The public will not notice a decrease in services or personnel on their call.”
While the new system is a technological upgrade, fire officials say it also represents a shift in the department’s focus toward long-term health and performance. Fatigue and stress are well-documented challenges in firefighting, a profession that demands quick reaction times, physical stamina and emotional resilience.
By helping firefighters stay rested, the department hopes to improve readiness, safety and morale across all stations.
“This project is another step toward improving both firefighter health and performance while maintaining the same high-quality service our community expects,” Carr said.
The alert system installation is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Once implemented, Hattiesburg officials say it will not only enhance efficiency but also ensure firefighters are as prepared and healthy as possible when responding to emergencies.
