# Top Five Technologies to Protect Firefighters on the Job August 1, 2025 Written by the HAAS Alert Team Alessandra Rodrigues ## Who protects those who protect us? Fires are more devastating than ever. Wildfires are breaking records — growing faster and stronger than any previous generation has seen. Over the last decade, the United States has experienced a [9% increase in total fires](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/) and a 15% rise in fire-related fatalities. On average, 70 to 120 firefighters lose their lives in the line of duty each year in the U.S. Today’s firefighters face harrowing dangers. Not just at burning buildings, but on the unpredictable roadways leading to and from emergency scenes. A 2023 AAA survey found that nearly [60% of roadside workers](https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/02/attention-grabbing-helping-motorists-spot-roadside-workers/) and first responders have experienced a near miss while on duty. While firegrounds remain high-risk, an often-overlooked threat is the growing number of roadside incidents involving fire personnel. Fire departments are increasingly adopting modern safety technology to meet these evolving dangers. From advanced communication tools to augmented reality helmets, today’s innovations are helping firefighters do their jobs more safely and effectively. Here are five technologies that are reshaping firefighter safety: ## Digital monitoring and alerting systems The risks begin the moment firefighters enter their vehicles. Every 60 seconds, 27 first [responders working on or near the roadway are at risk](/content/report/move-over-laws/index.html) of being struck by a vehicle. That adds up to 38,880 each day. Digital monitoring and alerting systems use sensors, connectivity, and real-time data to detect hazards, track environmental conditions, and send immediate alerts to multiple devices. These systems can monitor firefighter health, location, and safety status. One standout solution is Safety Cloud® by HAAS Alert, which improves visibility, communication, and awareness for responders. Collisions and struck-by incidents are a leading cause of injury and death for roadside personnel. Despite “Move Over” laws in every U.S. state, driver compliance remains dangerously low. Flashing lights and sirens are no longer enough to catch drivers’ attention early. With today’s distracted drivers, these signals are often missed or noticed too late. Safety Cloud addresses this by sending real-time digital alerts directly to nearby drivers through leading navigation apps and connected vehicle systems. These alerts are delivered up to 30 seconds in advance, prompting drivers to slow down and move over. Technologies like Safety Cloud are leading the way in delivering connected, all-in-one safety solutions. ## On-scene communication Source: [Big Red Guide](https://www.thebigredguide.com/news/msa-safety-launches-lunar-cloud-technology.1617818242.html) Clear communication is crucial at fire scenes. Tools like the [LUNAR device by MSA Safety](https://us.msasafety.com/) are helping departments enhance team coordination, situational awareness, and on-scene safety. LUNAR is a handheld device designed for firefighter tracking, team connectivity, and personal safety. It provides motion detection, thermal imaging, and location tracking, allowing crews to better monitor each member in high-risk environments. The device uses a built-in LUNAR-to-LUNAR ad-hoc network, enabling each unit to connect and exchange critical information even when traditional systems fail. This continuous digital link between firefighters improves team communication in the most challenging conditions. ## Thermal imaging drones Source: [Flytbase](https://www.flytbase.com/blog/drone-fire-fighting) Drones are becoming valuable tools for firefighting and emergency response. They can track wildfire movement, assess wind speed and direction, and help predict where a fire might spread. Drones allow firefighters to inspect buildings from a safe distance. They’re useful in search and rescue missions, scanning wide areas and detecting body heat. By surveying fires from above, drones improve efficiency, situational awareness, and safety. Companies like Autel Robotics, DJI, and Parrot are at the forefront of drone innovation. Each offers strengths tailored to emergency operations: - [Autel drones](https://www.autelrobotics.com/) feature high-resolution cameras, long flight times, and strong obstacle avoidance. - [Parrot](https://www.parrot.com/en) focuses on lightweight drones with robust thermal imaging and secure data handling. - [DJI](https://www.dji.com/), a market leader, offers the longest range, advanced camera technology, and powerful safety features. These drones are equipped with thermal detection, aerial mapping, obstacle avoidance, and high-definition video. Most are heat- and fire-resistant, with flight times ranging from 30 to 45 minutes. ## Augmented reality helmets Source: [TechEBlog](https://www.techeblog.com/qwake-technologies-c-thru-heads-up-display-firefighter-smoke/) One of the most dangerous challenges firefighters face is navigating smoke-filled, low-visibility environments. In response to that, [Qwake Technologies](https://www.qwake.tech/) has developed the [The C-THRU helmet](https://www.qwake.tech/navigator), which uses augmented reality to provide a clear visual overlay of hazardous surroundings. The helmet’s system streams live video back to incident commanders and projects a heads-up display inside the firefighter’s mask. Using AI-powered edge detection and thermal imaging, it outlines obstacles, flames, and people in real time. It also provides navigation aids like trails and compass orientation, helping firefighters move efficiently and safely. Firefighters can locate victims with C-THRU up to twice as fast as with traditional thermal imaging tools. The system has been tested by fire departments nationwide and is supported by the Department of Homeland Security. ## Telematics systems Source: [iCompario](https://www.icompario.com/en-ie/telematics/) Telematics systems [play a critical role in firefighter safety](https://www.piercemfg.com/pierce/blog/benefits-of-fire-truck-telematics). By integrating telecommunications, GPS, diagnostics, and data transfer, these tools provide real-time tracking and status updates for emergency vehicles. There are countless telematics companies that have developed advanced telematics systems– [Geotab](https://my.geotab.com/login.html), [Samsara](https://www.samsara.com/), [Verizon](https://www.verizonconnect.com/), and [PowerFleet](https://www.powerfleet.com/) currently lead in both market share and innovation. Companies like [Pierce Manufacturing](https://www.piercemfg.com/), [Firecom](https://www.firecom.com/), [PSTrax](https://pstrax.com/) and [BK Technologies](https://www.bktechnologies.com/) specialize in telematic technology for fire and EMS vehicles. Telematics systems monitor vehicle movement, performance, and status. They help departments calculate optimal routes, track fleet locations, and maintain vehicles proactively. Some systems can even integrate data from commercial vehicles, alerting responders to crashes, airbag deployments, or traffic patterns. This allows firefighters to better anticipate and respond to emergencies. With vehicle telematics, fleet managers gain full visibility into operations, enabling smarter, safer, and faster emergency response. As the risks facing firefighters continue to rise—from dynamic emergency scenes to increasingly dangerous roadways—the demand for innovative safety tools continues to grow. These advanced technologies don’t just enhance performance. They save lives.