Despite the advancements made to construct fire-resistant buildings, fire remains a potentially devastating threat. As fire-related threats increase, it has become essential for firefighters to equipped with state-of-the-art tools that will enhance their capabilities and help them save lives more efficiently. Fortunately, the advancements in technology are changing the way firefighters do their jobs. The NFPA’s Fire Loss in the United States During 2021 report reveals that local fire departments responded to over one million fires in the United States in 2021. An estimated 3,800 civilians died in these fires. More than 14,000 civilians were injured badly. The statistics for wildfires are also alarming h in the U.S. As of October 4, 2023, 49,200 fires have occurred in the country, which has destroyed 2.57 million acres of land. In this article, we’ll discuss a few technologies that are revolutionizing the firefighting industry.

#1 Drones

Drone technology is evolving rapidly, and fire departments across the United States are utilizing its benefits during firefighting operations. Firefighting drones have soared in popularity only recently, but they were used for the first time to battle blazes in 2017. New York City firefighters used a $85,000 drone outfitted with HD infrared cameras to monitor a dangerous blaze in an apartment building. This drone flown over a four-alarm fire in the Bronx to observe the roof of an apartment building, which firefighters feared would cave in. Reportedly, the drones offered a good view of the building’s roof, and the infrared camera detect hotspots that were yet to erupt flames. One of the significant benefits of using drones in firefighting is their ability to provide vital aerial insights. These unmanned aircraft can capture high-definition (HD) imagery and live video feeds, which let firefighters assess the scale, direction, and intensity of the fire. This data helps them make an informed decision. Besides detecting hot spots, drones with thermal cameras can locate humans and animals in smoke-filled environments.

#2 Sonic Fire Extinguisher

For ages, chemical compounds have been used to extinguish fire. However, “MythBusters,” the popular science program, verified that acoustic waves effectively put out fires. While the concept has around for over a decade, the device using sound waves to extinguish fire was design only a few years ago. Two George Mason University (Virginia) students, Seth Robertson and Viet Tran, invented a portable, hand-held sonic fire extinguisher. The equipment, consisting of a cardboard collimator and an amplifier, uses low-frequency bass sound waves to dissociate the oxygen supply from the burning material. As a sonic fire extinguisher doesn’t use chemical compounds, it’s a cleaner and healthier way to douse fires. While it was initially design to put out small fires; advancements in technology have made it possible to use this extinguisher for larger fires like wildfires. Besides, these devices would ensure the safety of firefighters, unlike aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF); which linked with various types of cancers, including kidney and pancreatic. Since the 1960s, AFFF has used to extinguish fires caused by highly flammable gasses and liquids. However, numerous studies recently revealed that AFFF contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), endocrine-disrupting chemicals linked with cancer development. No wonder firefighters are three times more likely to die from certain types of cancer than the general population. Numerous lawsuits have filed against firefighting foam manufacturers on behalf of affected military members, firefighters, and airport workers. Plaintiffs in the AFFF lawsuit allege that exposure to firefighting foam resulted in severe and long-term health issues. According to TorHoerman Law, Chemours, 3M, ChemDesign Inc, Tyco Fire Products; and DuPont are some of the defendants in the AFFF lawsuit.

#3 C-Thru Firefighting Helmet

In firefighting operations, numerous obstacles arise due to poor visibility in highly dense smoke; and the necessity to carry and constantly check thermal imaging equipment. However, the C-Thru firefighting helmet solves all these issues; as its integrated with various technologies that help firefighters carry out their rescue missions with ease. This helmet features an optical thermal camera, head-mounted projection display, cloud computing, target acquisition, and selective active noise cancellation. It is because of these technologies that firefighters can see what’s going on around them; keep track of each other, and receive vital information.

Wrapping Up

Overall, advancements in technology in the firefighting industry are providing firefighters with new tools that improve their safety and make them more efficient. Drones, sonic fire extinguishers, and C-Thru helmets are just a few examples of cutting-edge technologies that are changing the way firefighters fight fire. Other than these, mobile fire trucks, fire extinguishing grenades, wearable technology, and NASA suits are helping firefighters meet the challenges of a complex and dangerous environment. However, this is just the beginning. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect more groundbreaking solutions to emerge; which will further enhance firefighters’ capabilities and, ultimately, save more lives.