Ramapo uses gadget to help first responders

Ramapo Town Supervisor Chris St. Lawrence unveiled a $1 million public safety project Friday that would allow first responders to control traffic lights on their way to an emergency.
The system called Opticom comes with transmitters that are installed on fire and EMS vehicles, and receivers that are installed in traffic lights. An emergency vehicle approaching an intersection sends a signal that changes the light to green for responders and red in all other directions.
"This will make it safer for residents who are coming up into an intersection," St. Lawrence says.
When complete, the system will include 92 intersections at the cost of approximately $ 10,000 per intersection.