3 New technologies to save firefighter lives

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3 New technologies to save firefighter lives

Wildfires have ravaged the United States this year, so much so that a Congressional hearing was called in June to discuss extreme weather in the U.S.

Fortunately, the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology division has three projects underway that should reduce risk and improve the safety of U.S. firefighters.

GLANSER: A Firefighter locator

New tech should reduce risk and improve the safety of U.S. firefighters.

GLANSER tracking device lets commanders locate and track first responders.

PHASER monitors vitals statistics: pulse, body temperature and blood pressure.

WISPER relays vital signs back to the truck so that the base can monitor them. Summary

When firefighters enter a building or a wildfire they “vanish off the map” in the words of DHS S&T -- meaning a GPS satellite signal cannot follow them. Most firefighters also still use analog radio signals, which have problems getting through concrete, tunnels, forest and smoke-filled structures.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.c...efighter-lives/