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Anderson Today
By the People, for the People
Anderson County Receives Federal Grant for Emergency Vehicle Preemption System
The grant will fund the installation of traffic signal systems to prioritize emergency vehicle passage.
Published on Feb. 24, 2026
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Anderson County, South Carolina has received a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to implement an Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) system. The EVP system will allow emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks to trigger traffic signals to turn green as they approach, providing a clear path through intersections. County officials say this will improve response times and safety for both first responders and other drivers.
Why it matters
Busy intersections and congested traffic can pose challenges for emergency responders trying to reach their destinations quickly and safely. The new EVP system aims to address this issue by automatically clearing the way for approaching emergency vehicles, reducing the risk of collisions and helping first responders reach their calls more efficiently.
The details
The EVP system works by installing special equipment in emergency vehicles and at traffic signals. When an ambulance, fire truck or police car activates its lights and sirens, the onboard EVP system communicates with the traffic signals, causing them to turn green to allow the vehicle to safely pass through the intersection. County officials say this will benefit both first responders and regular drivers by improving the flow of traffic during emergency situations.
- Anderson County received the federal grant in February 2026.
- The county will spend the next few months assessing which intersections and emergency vehicles need the EVP systems the most.
The players
MedShore
The ambulance service provider for Anderson County.
Brittany McAbee
Anderson County Roads and Bridges Transportation Planner.
Austin Sanders
Vice President of Operations at MedShore.
What they’re saying
“When a first responder turns on their lights and sirens, it should automatically turn on the EVP that is in their vehicle, which will then when they get close to an intersection, will be able to pick it up via GPS or, cellular data, and be able to turn that signal green so that they can safely cross.”
— Brittany McAbee, Anderson County Roads and Bridges Transportation Planner (wspa.com)
“It also works well for our fire responders, for our law enforcement responders and the general motorists that are on the streets by allowing them to safely stop, [and] clear intersections. Again, it's just one additional safety component that we have. In addition to what we already do in a safe manner.”
— Austin Sanders, Vice President of Operations at MedShore (wspa.com)
What’s next
Over the next few months, Anderson County will assess which intersections and emergency vehicles need the new EVP systems the most, before beginning the installation process.
The takeaway
The new Emergency Vehicle Preemption system in Anderson County aims to improve public safety by giving first responders a clear path through busy intersections, reducing the risk of collisions and helping them reach emergencies more quickly. This grant-funded initiative demonstrates the county's commitment to supporting its emergency services and enhancing overall transportation safety.
