Editor’s note: Kevin Sofen will speak about “Wearable Technologies for the Fire Service” on Aug. 16 at Fire-Rescue International in Dallas. Learn more and register for the event.
By Kevin Sofen
Trying to do anything new, especially in the high-stakes world of firefighting, can be difficult. Yet, the fire service is on the brink of a technological evolution that promises to make our jobs safer and more efficient. Though often met with skepticism, wearable technology offers benefits that are becoming too significant to ignore.
Here we’ll explore how wearables enhance safety, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to better training and development in the fire service. We’ll also consider the barriers to adopting these technologies and how to overcome them.
Safety first
There are several ways that wearables can benefit the fire service, namely in the technology’s ability to enhance firefighter safety. Let’s review the most significant potential impacts.
Real-time health monitoring: Imagine having a personal health monitor with you at all times, keeping track of your vital signs like heart rate and body temperature. This doesn’t just apply to elite athletes or other industries; it’s a reality for firefighters, too. But let’s be real: Knowing your heart rate alone isn’t enough.
Wearable devices can continuously monitor vital biometrics to understand heart rate variability baselines. Using that data over time, they can detect early signs of distress and send automatic alerts to incident commanders (ICs) if something’s off. This capability can make the difference between life and death, allowing for timely interventions that could prevent serious health issues or fatalities.
Organizations like the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) already highlight the importance of embracing physiological monitoring to reduce line-of-duty deaths, shown in the 8th Firefighter Life Safety Initiative – Technology.
Location tracking: Knowing firefighters’ exact locations can be a game-changer in the chaos of a fire. Devices like cell phones that leverage various tracking technologies within GPS-denied environments can provide real-time location data, giving ICs a clear view of the scene. But this isn’t just about knowing where your team is; it’s about making faster, more informed decisions that could save lives in the heat of the moment.
Companies like Ascent Integrated Tech and 3AM Technologies have developed systems that work in challenging environments like multi-story buildings, where GPS signals usually struggle. In the event of a mayday, this technology ensures rapid intervention teams are empowered with location context for a successful recovery. These systems can also help provide situational awareness to incident commanders for large-scale events like parades or state fairs. Read more:
- Ascent Integrated Tech successfully deploys location tracking system with Lincoln Fire Department
- Philadelphia Fire Department selects 3AM Innovations as the preferred vendor for their personal accountability system
Hazard detection: Wearables equipped with sensors can detect hazardous gases and other environmental threats, providing immediate alerts or tracking health exposures over time. For example, research from Dr. Aydogan Ozcan at UCLA has shown that wearable particulate monitors can detect sub-micron particles, including carcinogens released during fires, helping firefighters understand and mitigate long-term health risks. With the proper form factor that is integrated into PPE, this could be a significant exposure tracking improvement for firefighters, greatly reducing cancer and other common diseases.
Haptic alerting: Traditional audible alarms can dangerously spike firefighters’ heart rates and stress levels, increasing the risk of heart attacks, which is the leading cause of on-duty deaths. A haptic-worn wrist wearable from Ease Alert replaces loud alarms with gentle vibrations, reducing this harmful startle response. This approach lowers stress and enhances response times, making it a crucial innovation for safer, more effective emergency alerts.
Data collection and analysis: Wearables aren’t just about safety – they’re also useful tools for improving how we operate. These devices collect data on everything from firefighter movements to environmental conditions, providing a wealth of information for post-incident analysis. Why does this matter? This data can reveal patterns and insights that help refine training and procedures, ultimately leading to better decision-making and more efficient operations. NIST’s “Research Roadmap for Smarter Firefighting” underscores the importance of using this data to transform information into actionable knowledge.
Performance feedback: Training isn’t about getting it right; it’s about being ready when it counts most. Wearables provide real-time feedback during training sessions, helping firefighters improve their skills and physical conditioning. These devices support continuous learning by tracking progress and identifying areas for improvement. They also ensure that firefighters maintain the high standards of performance and readiness that the job demands. This tracking data can be replicated into training environments so firefighters can learn from previous scenarios and apply lessons learned to future situations.
Adoption challenges
As with any new tool or technology, there will be questions, even pushback, particularly where resistance to change is rooted in the culture. Following are the most common adoption challenges with guidance for how to overcome them.
Resistance to change: The fire service is known for being resistance to change, but I see the fire service as willing to embrace the right kinds of change.
First things first, you’ll need to get buy-in from firefighters and stakeholders, and the best way to do this is to demonstrate these benefits across all stakeholders. Taking a crawl-walk-run approach that allows fire departments to try before you buy is critical. That is why many companies offer pilot programs to showcase real-world applications and demonstrate their value to firefighters. For example, the Department of Homeland Security funds the deployment of early technologies for fire departments, like the C-Thru smoke heads-up display from Qwake Technologies.
Data privacy and security: One of the biggest concerns with wearable technology is data privacy and security. Firefighters’ health data is sensitive information, and protecting it is crucial. To address these concerns, wearable devices and data transfer must include robust privacy features, such as data anonymization and encryption. Clear policies and protocols for data handling can also help mitigate fears about data misuse. The whole point of these wearables is to help firefighters do their job better, not play the role of “Big Brother” that is watching over your shoulder.
Integration with existing systems: If firefighters have to wear “one more thing” and perform excessive work to “make it work,” then it will not be operationally relevant for firefighters. For wearable technology to be truly effective, it must integrate seamlessly with existing systems and equipment. This means developing solutions that are compatible with existing protocols, ensuring that the introduction of wearables enhances usability without causing disruptions. Wearable companies must continue to explore integrating their hardware and software with existing PPE so this continues to weave into the fire service operations.
Take a small step
Wearable technology in the fire service doesn’t need to be a drastic change. It’s about taking small, manageable steps to improve safety and efficiency. These wearable technologies are operationally relevant and gaining traction in the fire service – a fact we can no longer ignore.
I challenge you to join a pilot program and try wearable technology in a limited way. See how it integrates with your current systems and supports your team’s safety. Whatever you do, don’t write it off without giving it a fair chance.
This isn’t about changing your operations to take a bet on a new technology. It’s about embracing the fact that wearable technology can make your job safer and more effective. Some of these wearables can plug into your operations today, and some still need another 5-10 years before they are fully operationally relevant. Regardless, I ask you to join the evolution and embrace the wearables opportunity in the fire service today.
| More: NIST’s Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
In 2023, Kevin Sofen joined the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) as a Technology Advisor to help plan and lead the Technology Summit International. Sofen spent 12+ years at W.S. Darley & Company, overseeing community development, market strategy and emerging technology. Since 2012, Sofen has successfully commercialized a range of products, including packaged water in a box, virtual reality training, and autonomous drone solutions. In 2017, Sofen launched the www.SmartFirefighting.com community, highlighting thought leadership and change management around technology and innovation adoption in the fire service. In 2018, Sofen launched a nonprofit called Wristsponsible to raise money and awareness for the global water crisis, and has helped facilitate over $1 million in nonprofit funds for social impact projects. In 2020, Sofen created the SDG Talks Podcast to champion public health through the lens of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2021, Sofen began a role as an adjunct professor at DePaul University, teaching Developing Sustainable Strategies.
