Innovative Fire Technology: Smart Firefighter Helmet

How could smart firefighter helmets impact the future of firefighting and safety? Explore this emerging technology and its potential with expert guidance from the WFCA.

Innovative fire technology is revolutionizing firefighting, with smart firefighter helmets leading the charge. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, smart firefighter helmets empower crews to make informed decisions swiftly, ultimately saving lives and mitigating risks in challenging firefighting scenarios.

What Has Been Developed?

At The University of Edinburgh in Scotland, researchers in the School of Informatics are developing an advanced smart helmet with support from the National Robotarium, a world-leading center for robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). This device uses AI to combine data from thermal imaging cameras, radar and other sensors mounted on standards-issue fire helmets, giving firefighters real-time information from fire scenes that could help improve firefighter response and safety.

The team working on the development of this helmet aims to add features in the future. These features include the ability of the helmet to create 3D maps and to provide wearers with built-in display screens.¹

Other developments of innovative helmets incorporate augmented reality (AR) that can read, record, and analyze real-time information while showing the wearer a visual overlay of stored 4D information such as guidelines or instructions.²

Benefits of a Smart Helmet for Firefighters

The smart helmet is designed to benefit firefighters by helping emergency services navigate dangerous or low-visibility conditions more safely by giving firefighters better situational awareness and thus reducing search and research times. This technology also supports on-the-ground firefighters and scene commanders to make crucial in-the-moment decisions. The entire sensor rig weighs less than one kilogram and uses affordable, off-the-shelf parts that are easy to fit into standard-issue fire helmets.¹

The list of benefits is such to grow as technology does. Future designs of these helmets can be expected to include Bluetooth connectivity, 4k video, and hands-free communication.

How Could the Smart Helmet Become a Reality?

In a profession where seconds matter, new personal protective equipment (PPE) must go through various trials, regulatory compliance, and testing before it hits the market. Many of the new advanced helmets are in the development and design stages to create the most user-friendly helmet possible while maintaining the easy utilization of advanced technology.