IRONDALE, Ala. (WBRC) – Apps that monitor scanner traffic used by first responders are becoming increasingly popular, especially for people trying to figure out what’s going on in their neighborhood. One Alabama fire chief though is asking people to check the accuracy of what they may see or hear on such apps.
The chief’s word of caution comes after a training drill his department was conducting was broadcast out on a scanner app as though it were really happening.
The drill, which involved a scenario where a firefighter is down, was not conducted on the fire department’s main channel, much to the surprise of Irondale Fire Chief Josh McDaniels.
“It’s not a channel that I would think would be monitored,” McDaniels said. “It’s a little bit concerning to me that it was being monitored, and that the information got out for people to think it was a real incident, and it wasn’t.”
McDaniels said he was able to report the scene as inaccurate information in the app, and also posted to social media to inform the public that the scenario was a drill. Still, the app continued issuing updates on the training drill.
“There was a follow up one saying the firefighter was rescued and taken to the hospital, so it was still going on even though I had already marked that it was not accurate,” McDaniels said. “We have 63 firefighters here with families and I didn’t want somebody’s family to be thinking their spouse is at work today and something’s happened.”
McDaniels urged those who use the apps to understand how they collect information, and to verify accuracy through other sources.
“Just because it came through that app doesn’t mean it’s 100% accurate,” the chief said. “It’s ran through AI, and just like anything with AI, I don’t think its terrible but you shouldn’t trust it as the sole truth. You still need to check those references.”
McDaniels said anyone with concerns about something they think is going on in Irondale is welcome to call the city, or the non-emergency line of the fire department, or use other verified sources of information such as local news outlets.
“We would much rather you call and get information than to assume what you read is true or to share that info and it not be 100% accurate,” McDaniels said. “I think AI has a place but we just have to understand there’s limitations to it.”
McDaniels also serves on the board for the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs. McDaniels said this year the association has formed an AI committee to study when and where to incorporate AI. He hopes he will also be able to find good contacts for the companies who operate scanner apps so departments can prevent similar incidents in the future.
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