ORLANDO, Fla. — Firefighters have a higher risk of heart problems, much of it because of the environment on the job, like smoke exposure and lack of sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The Orlando Fire Department is trying to find a solution to part of that problem with a new fire station alert system.

It’s not unusual for firefighters to respond to calls in the middle of the night. Previously, the alarm woke up the entire crew, even if that unit didn’t need to respond. With Orlando Fire’s new station alerting system, firefighters now only get the alarm if their unit needs to respond.

Orlando firefighters said that the system helps them sleep better at night and even respond more quickly to calls.

“I’m on Tower 11, so I’m going to turn off Engine 11 and Rescue 11 and then close it out. Now for the rest of the night, until 8 a.m. tomorrow morning I’m not going to hear anything in this dormitory unless it’s for Tower 11,” said Lt. Jeffrey McGovern, who has worked with the Orlando Fire Department for 25 years.

All he must do is pick his unit on the screen, the volume of the alarm, and he’s set. It’s a resource he says is a game-changer for all firefighters.

“From the engine to the rescue to the district chief, we’re all getting better sleep at night,” McGovern said. “So, we’re all getting better prepared for our job in the middle of the night and then the next day — for our families, friends, everything. Our life is better, hopefully, longevity-wise, and we start seeing this in the future. We’re going to see less cardiac issues from us in the future.”

While this new technology is in every Orlando Fire Station, not every agency has it. It’s a resource Chief Charlie Salazar recommends every agency should consider implementing.

“Any fire chief that could implement any program that improves the health and safety of their members, which translates to better service to the community, I would say fully support it 110%,” Salazar said.

After lights go out, McGovern and his crew jump into action when a call comes in. They not only hearing the alarm, but a visual red light flashes. There’s also a new component regarding information about the call to which crews are responding.

The feedback OFD has gotten has been positive, not just for the health of the first responder, but for responding to calls more quickly, department officials said.