Fire Chief Barry Helmerichs has requested a supplemental appropriation — taken from video gaming proceeds — to buy a system that would coordinate traffic signals with emergency vehicles and reduce congestion in the city’s southwest side when crews respond to calls. Helmerichs said he made his request now in hopes the system would be operational during the holiday shopping season.  

Here’s how it works: A GPS-enabled unit in a fire rig communicates with a device in the traffic signal, which will turn green when it senses the emergency vehicle approaching . The system is supposed to reduce response times by 25 to 40 percent. Outfitting four fire vehicles and a few intersections along the Veterans Parkway corridor with the pre-emption system would cost about $105,000, Helmerichs has said.