Firefighters are already familiar with some electronics that have been introduced to the fire service in the past several years. While PASS devices have been a standard fixture of the ensemble since the 1990s, their integration as part of the SCBA and the mandate for heads-up displays in the facepiece have been a sign of further improvements in the future. In addition, the commonplace use of thermal imaging cameras nowadays together with further miniaturization and incorporation into ensemble elements shows how electronics can become a mainstay of the protective system.
Electronics devices are being developed for a variety of purposes. For example, a significant amount of work has been undertaken to create electronic methods for tracking firefighters on the fireground. The idea is to improve firefighter on-scene accountability by allowing a command station to monitor individual firefighter locations at any time.
The challenge has been to have such systems, which work well in open terrain, function properly in closed structures where there are significant sources of interference. Just as firefighters experience communications issues at times with their radios, the ability to broadcast signals through complex structures is often impeded.
Nevertheless, several companies are on the verge of making breakthroughs to solve this problem. One of the solutions is to place repeaters at key locations on the fireground for boosting signals.
Of course, as with any electronic equipment placed on the firefighter, the device must be able to withstand environmental extremes and continue to function under emergency conditions, when they’re needed most. Some of the emerging technologies also now provide two-way communication between the command station and the individual firefighter, allowing the command station to send alarms. The further ability to monitor firefighter status such as how much air is remaining in the SCBA improves oversight and central management of firefighter health and safety.
Electronic chips
Several fire departments are experimenting with electronic chips in transmitters that are embedded in the clothing to also aid in firefighter accountability. These chips can be specifically used to identify each firefighter and show when they leave and reenter the apparatus. Additionally, these chips can store information on the care and maintenance of the gear, helping the recordkeeping functions mandated as part of NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Structural and Proximity Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles.
Besides tracking and accountability devices, there are different devices that are moving toward adoption and possible integration in protective clothing systems. A number of devices being promoted are sensors of one type or another. Some are positioned to provide monitoring of the firefighter’s physiological condition.
The ability to measure skin or core temperature, heart rate, and other indicators of firefighter stress are not new, but the functioning of these devices in adjunct or integrated firefighter clothing systems is. Firefighters are particularly subject to physiological stress given the hostile environments, difficult physical conditions and demanding missions they undertake. Stress-related factors remain one of the leading causes of firefighter fatalities. As such, the ability for self or command center monitoring of firefighter health is another tool to limit or prevent stress-related injuries and fatalities.
Other sensing systems are directed toward the environment. Most notably, there have been technology developments directed toward measuring the levels of heat that firefighters are exposed to during structural fires. These sensors are being designed with the objective of warning firefighters when the heat exposure creates the potential for burn injury. An alarm would be activated to give the firefighter the opportunity to retreat before burn injury was imminent.
But this approach has serious technical challenges as there are many factors that relate to burn injury — the level and duration of heat exposure, the presence of moisture inside or on the firefighter’s clothing, areas of compression, etc. Having the alarm register at a time that is neither too late nor too early has to account for these different factors. Moreover, in some cases firefighters can be overwhelmed during a flashover or backdraft, so the sensing system and alarm technology must be sufficiently reactive to respond to emergency situations.
Hazardous concentrations
There is also work being carried out on sensors for chemical and other types of hazardous substance exposures. Toxic chemical exposures and the inability to assess these hazardous concentrations during apparent routine responses remain a fire service concern. While most sensors are chemical specific, such as for warfare agents, more and more sensor technology is being developed that covers a range of chemical exposures.
These sensors are not only being considered for clothing systems but also as part of respiratory protective equipment. For wildland firefighting, the potential use of specialized air-purifying respirators warrants some type of end-of-service life indicator for carbon monoxide and other fire contaminants. Sensors that can monitor the exposure atmosphere can provide better predictions of firefighter exposures during wildland firefighting, overhaul as part of structural fire fighting, and other hazardous conditions.
There are several issues arising with the implementation of electronic equipment within the firefighting protective ensemble. The first problem is where to locate the sensors, computers for processing information, transmitters (if used) and power supplies. Systems that provide multiple functions may compete for space within the ensemble. While miniaturization has helped tremendously, positioning all of these components in a fashion not to interfere with other equipment and to minimize the need for connections can be difficult.
Some developers contend that the SCBA is the most logical platform for this integration; however, the SCBA may not be worn in all responses. For example, there can be significant stress to the firefighter during a vehicle victim extrication activity and any physiological monitor should be in place without reliance to the SCBA.
The use of multiple systems also creates the potential for multiple power supplies and connections that can be compromised if not interoperable. Lastly, whatever electronics are placed on it, the ensemble has to continue to function properly regardless of different conditions of wear and the tough environmental conditions that firefighters routinely face. No specific standard has been developed to define these conditions and manufacturers for these technologies are forced to guess at the survivability of their systems in the absence of concrete criteria. While some efforts have been undertaken by the NFPA Electronic Safety Equipment Technical Committee, there has been no agreement on the criteria and how it should be applied in general to different types of electronic equipment.
The trend for new electronic technologies will continue in the coming years, with more and more functions available to firefighters to track their location, monitor their health and sense their environment. It is important that the fire service embrace these new developments, but there also has to be industry standardization for how this equipment functions and integrates within the overall protective ensemble. This will help ensure that interoperability problems with the equipment are avoided and will also help to reduce false expectations from the user. Firefighters should look to the future of increasing electronics but be judicious about their use, true capabilities, and their limitations until industry standards become available. This is much in the same fashion that the fire service has found the use of thermal imaging cameras a viable technology. The Electronic Safety Equipment committee for the NFPA is now putting together a standard for thermal imaging cameras that will help to further ensure consistent, reliable performance of these devices.
