New technology developed in Sweden allows firefighters to be tracked even when they’re 25 meters underground.
The KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has developed sensor-equipped footwear that, using sensors inside the heel of a boot, makes it possible for incidents commanders to follow firefighters’ movements independent of the infrastructure they’re working in.
According to a report on sciencedaily.com (http://bit.ly/KnOSc8), the system includes advanced sensors such as accelerometer and gyroscope plus a processor. It can withstand shock and extremely high temperatures and remains operational where GPS positioning systems fail.
A wireless module worn on the shoulder sends the data to operational command, which provides incident commanders he precise information about responders’ location and movements. The system has been tested successfully with firefighters in real time, 25 meters below ground.
The technology can be expanded for use by police, EMS, and military forces, the report says.
Read more about this technology at http://bit.ly/KnOSc8
For more on firefighter tracking technology, consider GLANSER Firefighter Locator Performance at WPI Workshop “Most Promising”, Monitoring System Tracks Firefighters, and Firefighting Technology: AZ Fire Crews Test Out Firefighter Locating and Tracking Technology.
