When seconds count: NOFD launches new alert system to speed up response times

ORLEANS PARISH, La. — When a major fire broke out in the St. Roch neighborhood on Wednesday morning, New Orleans firefighters were dispatched using the department's new MACH Alert system.

A computer-generated voice came across the station speakers: "Engine 8, engine 14, ladder 9, squad 7, car 508, fire alarms business 1415 Franklin Avenue."

According to NOFD Superintendent Roman Nelson, MACH Alert replaces an old and failing system that required emergency dispatchers to manually radio information to individual firehouses.

"In the old days, the fire stations, basically, every fire station just listened to the radio and heard every single call," Nelson said. "What the fire station alerting does is it only alerts the station or stations that are assigned on that particular call."

MACH Ale