After eight months, province fixes broken West Kelowna emergency traffic system

WEST KELOWNA – West Kelowna's fire chief is thanking the Ministry of Transportation for fixing an important system that broke eight months ago.

The Emergency Traffic Pre-emption installation along Highway 97 makes it possible for emergency vehicles equipped with the technology to activate green lights as they approach certain intersections, according to a West Kelowna Fire Rescue media release. Using GPS to establish speed and direction, it ensures lights return to normal operation as quickly as possible.

It was initially installed along Highway 97 in West Kelowna in 2007 and taken offline for repairs In April of this year.

Fire chief Jason Brolund says the system allows emergency vehicles to travel “much faster” with less risk to the public.

“We are extremely pleased with the Ministry’s attention to see this important emergency response system fixed,” he says. “West Kelowna Fire Rescue appreciates the complex nature of the emergency traffic pre-emption system, particularly given its potential impacts to the travelling public.”

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