As part of a major roll-out programme Cambridgeshire Constabulary have installed the market-leading Deaf Alerter® fire alarm and messaging system for Deaf and hard of hearing people. This is part of an increased effort by the force to make improvements in line with Disabilities Discrimination Act.

By installing Deaf Alerter in police stations throughout Cambridge they are at the forefront of regional fire safety. Typically 'equal access' is considered to be vital but all too often 'equal egress' is overlooked. Deaf or hard of hearing people must be informed of a fire just as hearing people are. Conventional audible alarms alone are not sufficient methods of fire safety. Deaf Alerter overcomes this issue and provides equal inclusion for warning messages.

The Deaf Alerter system is radio based and integrates permanently with the building's existing fire alarm panel, meeting stringent health and safety requirements and working to the British Fire Alarm standard BS 5839-1 in support of the DDA. This responds instantly to an alarm and each Alerter (small device worn by the Deaf or hard of hearing person) in use receives a simultaneous signal, vibrating and flashing to attract the user's attention. This continues until the Alerter user is safely out of the building.