Danbury Fire Department Adopts Gentler Alert System

New alarms gradually increase in volume to reduce stress on firefighters

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Danbury Fire Department in Connecticut has implemented a new alert system that gradually increases in volume, rather than blasting at full volume immediately. The new system, which includes a calm computerized voice, aims to reduce stress on firefighters and improve response times.

Why it matters

Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of on-duty firefighter fatalities, and the jarring nature of traditional fire station alarms has been shown to increase firefighters' heart rates. The new gentler alert system is part of a broader trend among fire departments to prioritize firefighter health and wellness.

The details

The old alert system in Danbury would blast alarms and tones at high volume, which Capt. Kevin Lunnie said could be "overwhelming" and cause a noticeable jump in his heart rate. The new system gradually increases the volume of the alarms and uses a calm computerized voice to provide call information, which Lunnie says is "much easier on your nervous system." The new setup is integrated with the computer-aided dispatching system, allowing for faster alerts and information transmission to firefighters' phones and watches, resulting in quicker response times.

  • The new alert system went online in Danbury in September 2026.

The players

Danbury Fire Department

The fire department serving the city of Danbury, Connecticut, which has a population of around 87,000 people.

Capt. Kevin Lunnie

A captain in the Danbury Fire Department who has noticed a significant reduction in stress and heart rate increases with the new alert system.

William Lounsbury

The assistant fire chief of the Danbury Fire Department, who has reported quicker response times since the new alert system was implemented.

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What they’re saying

“It's much easier on your nervous system.”

— Capt. Kevin Lunnie, Captain

The takeaway

The Danbury Fire Department's adoption of a gentler, gradually increasing alert system highlights a broader trend among fire departments to prioritize firefighter health and wellness, particularly in addressing the leading cause of on-duty firefighter fatalities - sudden cardiac death. This approach aims to reduce stress and improve response times, benefiting both firefighters and the communities they serve.