Accident detection devices can save lives. But false alarms are a problem for first responders

First responders in Nova Scotia say they see the value of crash detection technology in improving response times, but false alarms are increasing demand for emergency services.

Two years ago, Apple introduced a crash detection feature for iPhone and smartwatches. The company said an algorithm based on crash data and real driving uses accelerator, gyroscope, GPS, barometer and microphone inputs to detect serious accidents.

RCMP Sgt. Natasha Farrell, the district commander in Guysborough County, said in one case, three people were helped out of a vehicle after first responders received an iPhone crash notification.

However, in many other cases there was no emergency.

“It was an iPhone that fell out of a car,” Farrell said. “In one case, in a neighboring department, a man was playing baseball with his son and the baseball hit his pocket where his iPhone was and that triggered the notification.”

EHS has responded to 806 crash technology calls across the province so far this year.

Farrell said most of the 240 Apple crash detection calls RCMP received this year in the northeast and southwest districts were false.

“Save these resources”

“We're excited about the technology, but there are ways the public can help us and maybe save those resources,” she said.

Apple says an automated call can be canceled within 20 seconds if no help is needed. Farrell said a call can also be explained to the EHS officer on the phone.

“Police may still contact the person to make sure they are OK, but multi-agency resources will not respond as they would in a true emergency call,” she said.

Apple said the technology was updated with the intention of reducing false calls and the company continues to improve crash detection.

Still, Brett Tetanish, chief of the Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Department, said that despite good intentions to save lives, Apple's technology unnecessarily ties up emergency resources.

“Every single incident we have experienced so far has been wrong,” Tetanish said. “We’ve definitely seen an increase in the last few months.”

Brett Tetanish is chief of the Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Department. (Shaina Luck/CBC)

Tetanish said the department receives one accident detection call per week on average and it can take up to an hour to respond.

“We are human beings. We make mistakes. We leave or drop our phones on the roof or hood of our cars,” he said.

“We have been without this technology for a long time, and my question is whether it is necessary. I don't know it.”

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