Firefighting has become so much more than just a hoseline, turnout gear, and an apparatus. Technology has enhanced firefighting to make it safer, more secure, and in some cases educate.
Below are the top 5 technological innovations of 2012 for firefighters.
 | ‘Bouncy ball’ camera helps firefighters scope out danger The bouncy ball camera can be rolled into unknown areas and can snap two photos per second and send them to a laptop or smartphone. |
 | SCBA gives firefighters ‘bionic’ vision The new mask allows firefighters to see in the dark and smoky conditions and even keeps track of other firefighters in the area. |
 | Remote-controlled lifeguard robots EMILY looks like a buoy but is actually a small watercraft fitted with a floatation device and can pick up drowning victims more quickly and safely than traditional lifeguards. |
 | Humanoid rescue robot navigates obstacles The Pentagon-inspired robot is athletic enough to climb over blocks, jump and maintain blanace and even walk up and down stairs. |
 | High-tech video explains firefighter death Using a sophisticated fire-modeling program to calculate movements of mass and energy, the technology can trace how a firefighter was killed while battling a fire. |