The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as CAL FIRE, has selected Tampa Bay startup EaseAlert to modernize emergency alerts across its network of 295 operational facilities and stations. The initial rollout will cover nearly 60 stations, according to co-founder and CEO Blake Richardson.
Traditional station systems rely on loud tones and bright overhead lights to wake crews. EaseAlert instead combines wrist and bunk vibrations, red lighting and audible notifications, and it alerts only the responders assigned to a particular call. The system is designed to reduce the stress of being jolted awake.
Richardson pointed to installation speed and price as reasons EaseAlert stood out against incumbents. The wireless system can be installed without the extensive construction and hardwiring traditionally associated with station alerting.
The Florida Angle
EaseAlert is a Florida startup based in the Tampa Bay area. Hypepotamus reports it grew from five clients to 30 in about 18 months. Richardson said the company has added seven other clients in the previous six weeks, including large fire departments across the country.
Richardson traces the idea to growing up around his father's firehouse. He and the team began working on the concept in 2019 and tested the technology inside that station.