Firefighters are first responders to many challenging situations including traffic accidents, fire outbreaks, and medical emergencies.
The US had 1.2 Million fire incidents in 2019, which claimed more than 3,700 lives and caused a loss of $14.8 billion.
Technology can help firefighters save lives and improve their effectiveness. Technology can help firefighters respond faster and more efficiently to emergencies, which can save lives. Let's take a look at technology and how it has changed fire departments.
Incident Response Software for The Rescue
Most homes can be engulfed in 5 minutes. Using the right software to empower your fire department can help you make quick decisions in highly-sensitive situations.
The right tools can help you plan and communicate quickly so that the right number of firefighters are available to respond to any emergency. With real-time information at their fingertips, incident commanders can remotely manage their response teams using incident management software.
It is possible to create alarms and notify all personnel using cutting-edge technology. The mobile app allows firefighters to send information about the ground like flashovers, backdraft, and structural collapse. This gives incident commanders the ability to adjust the personnel.
In 2021 there were 135 deaths by on-duty firefighters. Overexertion, vehicle-related accidents, and explosions were just a few of the reasons.
Fire departments are increasingly adopting technology to improve their response times and firefighter safety. An accountability system for firefighters allows decision-makers to see the whole fire department in real-time and keep an eye on each response person during an incident.
Fire departments will be able to deploy the right number of personnel, and not spread out too thinly across incidents. The risk of confusion and insufficient response can be greatly reduced. Incident commanders will be able to receive real-time updates with this technology.
Wearable Technology to Increase Efficiency
Even though firefighters are wearing protective gear, heat-burning gases, and thermal radiation can make matters worse. The core temperature can be estimated using wearable technology, which reduces the chance of heat-related injuries.
It is also possible to constantly assess the temperature, which can aid in decision-making. A sudden temperature rise could alert firefighters and fire departments to a more serious situation. A steady drop in temperature can signify that the current plan of action is working and those additional responders are not needed at the site.
The harmful gases produced by burning chemical substances can cause serious and permanent lung damage. Wearables can monitor the air quality during and after firefighting so that preventive and curative measures can be taken.
Research shows that high temperatures can increase the risk of developing heart disease. 45% of all deaths on duty among firefighters in the US can be attributed to coronary heart disease.
Technological advances have made it possible to wearable electrocardiograms (ECG) for firefighters. These aid in the detection and monitoring of cardiac events while training.
The right wearable technology can help firefighters be more aware of their health and save lives.
Light to Show The Way
Head-mounted lights penetrate the smoke and can clear it so firefighters know which route to take and how much they need to save. This combined with a wireless camera allows responders to be alerted from far away so they can take appropriate action.
Mobile Firetrucks
Even the slightest delay can make a difference in the outcome of a fire. Fire trucks can be large and heavy, often loaded with ladders or hoses.
This makes it difficult to maneuver through traffic. Fire departments can send small mobile trucks equipped with basic equipment, such as oxygen tanks and masks, to reduce response times during emergencies.
Firefighters are the ones who risk their lives in an emergency to save others. Technological advances can dramatically improve safety, reduce response times, and improve decision-making in the fire department. The right technology can also help the fire department reduce operating costs and maximize resource utilization.