Surrounded by thick smoke and trapped among scorching flames, firefighters who brave burning buildings may find their own lives in danger, but a new federal grant will help create a tracking device to locate and rescue firefighters in crises.
“One of the most critical issues in fire safety is knowing where a firefighter is when they’re inside a burning building,” said Steve Edwards, director of the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute.
“There have been numerous firefighter fatalities over the past decade … and this device tracks step by step where [firefighters are], so if they need to be removed from a building rapidly we can find them.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded more than $855,000 to the University of Maryland Center for Firefighter Safety Research and Development in College Park, which creates new technology for first responders.
The device, worn by the firefighter, uses motion sensors and global positioning to send a locating signal back to the command post.
“The federal government has a responsibility to protect our protectors, providing them with the tools they need to do their job safer and smarter,” Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., said in a statement.
“First responders are our true heroes — protecting our homes, our businesses and our communities.”
Edwards said developing better technology to track and protect firefighters was ranked as first priority by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, a nonprofit created by the U.S. Congress to honor fire heroes who have lost their lives and to assist their families.
Nationwide, about 25 of the 100 firefighter fatalities each year occur during structural firefighting activity where the device could be of use, Edwards said.
Maryland loses an average of two to four firefighters each year that could benefit from the device, he said.
“Our firefighters are on the front lines every day, and it is critical that they have the resources to deal with any emergency or life-threatening situation they may have to confront,” said Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., who is a member of the Budget Committee that sets funding for federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security.
Edwards said he hopes the device will be ready for testing at three major fire departments in Washington, D.C., and Prince George’s and Montgomery counties within the next six months. The device also has been presented to fire chiefs for Baltimore City and Baltimore and Howard counties.
Once the device passes the field tests, Edwards said he plans to introduce it nationally.
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