The firefighting industry is one where danger lurks in every corner. Firefighters brave heroic circumstances to rescue lives and extinguish wildly roaring fires. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that employment in this profession is projected to grow by 4% between 2022 and 2032.
There was a time when the firefighting industry was rife with various kinds of hazards. Today, advanced innovations are transforming the industry to protect firefighters’ safety.
Technologies like drones, satellites, and sensors no longer look like specimens out of science fiction. Such innovations are currently being deployed to improve firefighting success rates and efficiency.
This article will discuss the top five innovations that are transforming the current firefighting industry.
Environmental-Friendly Firefighting Foam
Firefighting foams, used to extinguish different classes of fires, are one of the primary lines of defense for firefighters. However, these may also be toxic. For instance – Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) used to extinguish Class B liquid-fuel fires is said to cause cancer after prolonged exposure.
These foams are made of per-or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals that are carcinogenic in nature. They are also known as forever chemicals for their capacity to stay in the soil or human body indefinitely.
Studies have shown a direct link between AFFF and testicular cancer among firefighters and members of the military. Given the pollution and harmful health effects of AFFF, the US Federal Court in the District of South Carolina is overseeing an AFFF foam lawsuit.
TorHoerman Law states that this lawsuit is filed under two categories – personal injury lawsuits by firefighters and water contamination lawsuits by local municipalities. Though the latter have reached their settlements, there are still over 3000 personal injury cases awaiting their verdict.
In light of the dangers of conventional firefighting foam, environment-friendly fluorine-free foams are being developed. These foams are non-toxic and easily biodegradable. Companies like BIOEX are designing such foams to keep firefighters and the environment safe.
Drones
The primary purpose of bringing in drones in the fire department is to prevent firefighters from entering into hazardous environments. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or public safety drones can be easily deployed into narrow spaces.
They can even reach heights otherwise inaccessible to firefighters. This improves containment efforts as well as the rescue response time. Moreover, drones offer real-time information on the fire’s temperature, smoke patterns, etc., thereby helping firefighters to make more informed decisions.
Also, the sensors and thermal imagers equipped within these drones enhance situational awareness for the team, offering evacuation routes and nearby structure details. Finally, if the deployed drone is a thermal one, it can detect trapped people and hotspots so that firefighters may prioritize efforts accordingly.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual Reality (VR) is a major breakthrough in the sphere of firefighting. Through this technology, firefighters are able to practice in high-risk environments without actually being in one. VR helps teams to –
- Become conversant with firefighting methods and strategies
- Have a clear idea of how to use firefighting equipment
- Develop a strong communication network during emergencies
- Enhance their response during critical activities
The VR headset creates a virtual scenario, thereby enabling firefighters to picture themselves in real-world settings. This helps in reducing training time, securing lower operational costs, and maintaining proper safety.
Let’s take an example for better understanding – when firefighters are placed in immersive simulations through VR, they experience real sensations of psychological stress and anxiety. They are forced to adopt better task execution practices.
As a result, it is possible to impart diverse and complex training in a risk-free environment. Furthermore, trainees can repeat a lesson to improve outcomes. With each time, their real-world firefighting capacity increases.
Thermal Imaging Displays
In recent years, the thermal imaging camera (TIC) market has seen significant growth. The market is expected to reach a value of $7.49 billion by 2030. There are numerous uses for these devices besides locating the seat of a fire.
For instance – hazardous materials may not be easily visible to the naked eye. A thermal imaging camera can help the firefighter locate the exact spot since it will likely have a temperature reading different to its surroundings.
Similarly, motor vehicle crashes (especially those occurring at night) also involve unseen hazards. These include spilt fuels, missing people, vehicles involved in the crash, etc. Firefighters with handheld thermal imaging cameras can steer clear of the hazards whilst keeping track of personnel on the scene.
TICs are also useful in measuring the size of wildfires. This happens through the device’s quick and accurate detection of hotspots as well as fire progression. Firefighters need not fear being overrun by a rapidly moving fire.
Personnel Location Gear
Firefighters often need to enter hazardous, smoke-filled scenarios where visibility is poor. It becomes extremely challenging to keep in touch with each other and rescue people from the scene. Personnel location gear is a device that allows the command center to keep track of every firefighter’s location.
This device’s usefulness becomes most apparent inside buildings and other enclosed structures vulnerable to collapsing. If the walls crumble, it is highly likely that the firefighters trapped inside may become unconscious and incapable of communicating with other team members.
As the command center is notified of each fallen firefighter’s position, personnel can be deployed to carry out rescue missions.
Final Thoughts
As per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were 96 reported firefighter fatalities across the US in 2022. With the new technologies, the industry is hopeful that these fatality numbers will reduce.
As firefighters gain access to real-time data about the fire, surroundings, and trapped people, even their mission success rates should improve.
I’m a tech enthusiast, entrepreneur, digital marketer and professional blogger equipped with skills in Digital Marketing, SEO, SEM, SMM, and lead generation. My objective is to simplify technology for you through detailed guides and reviews. I discovered WordPress while setting up my first business site and instantly became enamored. When not crafting websites, making content, or helping clients enhance their online ventures, I usually take care of my health and spend time with family, and explore the world. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin or read my complete biography.