Vehicle-location system to shorten emergency response times

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) - Authorities in Normal say emergency vehicles should be arriving more quickly than in the past because of a technology upgrade.

The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reports (http://bit.ly/1BtBUTO ) officials are installing vehicle-location systems in fire department trucks and ambulances.

Dispatchers will know exactly where each vehicle is and summon the one closest to an emergency.

Dispatchers currently determine the closest fire station to a scene. With the automated system, an ambulance assigned to a north-side station might go to a south-side emergency after leaving a nearby hospital.

Normal's twin city Bloomington installed the system in its fleet several years ago. Fire Chief Brad Mohr says it's improved response times.

The cities are working toward a system that links both departments' vehicles so either can respond to a problem.