Fire trucks in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong will soon be fitted with low-frequency "rumbler sirens" to improve response times but ACT Fire & Rescue aren't rushing to consider the technology for the capital.
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The subwoofer-style sirens create vibrations that can be felt within a 60-metre range from the trucks as well as being heard.
Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said the "rumbler siren" had been shown through trials to improve response times by up to 30 seconds by alerting tuned out and distracted road users to get out of the way.
ACT Fire & Rescue chief officer Mark Brown has not ruled out the technology but reiterated the ACT was not suffering the same challenges to response times as other jurisdictions.
"ACT Fire & Rescue constantly looks at potential improvements to its operational performance and we will liaise with Fire & Rescue NSW to learn about the system," he said.
"The 'rumbler' sirens might be effective in alerting drivers to the presence of a fire truck in busy traffic, but the traffic situation in Canberra is very different to the inner suburbs of Sydney."
The ACT set the standard when it came to response times to fires, Mr Brown said.
"ACT Fire & Rescue response times to fires were significantly better than in NSW," he said.
"According to a 2013-14 report, the median response time to fires in the ACT was 7.2 minutes."
Opposition emergency service spokesman Brendan Smyth said it was worth considering any technology that could improve safety for Canberrans.
"It's always important to consider new methods of how to improve safety," he said.
"Emergency services need to run efficiently and the bottom line is improving safety. I'm open to anything that will improve response times for emergency services vehicles and thereby, the safety of Canberrans."
