On Monday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced it would be making an innovative new fire safety tool available to fire departments across the country for testing.
The tool – a helmet-mounted indoor visualization and navigation device that allows first responders to see through dark smoke – is designed to improve situational awareness, increase fire fighter effectiveness and reduce first responder exposure to carcinogens. Developed by Austin, Texas-based Qwake Technologies, the technology will be made available to awarded fire departments thanks to a $4.7 million funding award from S&T. The money will fund the production of 400 C-THRU devises for testing in real-life situations across a diversity of environments and scenarios.
“We know improved equipment and technology for first responders will help save lives and protect firefighters,” Dr. Dimitri Kusnezov, DHS Under Secretary for Science and Technology, said. “Through collaborative partnerships with industry, S&T supports the development of devices like C-THRU that address challenges we know exist for first responders, and we’re leveraging emerging technology to meet their most urgent needs.”
Fire departments interested in testing the new technology must apply by July 31, 2024. Data from the testing will help refine the product and optimize it for real-word use, in advance of a commercial release, officials said. The testing will be conducted in 80 fire departments across the country across all FEMA regions. Prototypes will be distributed to varying sizes of fire departments, as well as fire departments with varying missions sets and temperature environments. The initiative will let participating fire department define their own operational use and training standards for the equipment.