Space software supports firefighters

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20 April 2009

Until now, as they race to the scene of a blaze or accident, firefighters have known little about what to expect when they arrive. What is the layout of the building? Are there any chemicals nearby? Where are the nearest water sources?

This lack of knowledge is dangerous for both the firefighters and the people they are trying to rescue. However, things are about to change with the introduction of a new information system that was first developed for astronauts on the International Space Station. Used in orbit for the last three years, the Skytek system provides information on thousands of procedures that astronauts may need to know - from routine things like fixing a fuse, to dealing with an emergency.

ISS

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Back on Earth, the software is being tested by officers of the Dublin Fire Brigade in Ireland. Results have been so promising that it will be introduced in all of Dublin’s fire stations this year and eventually installed nationwide.

Development of the system by Irish company Skytek began 8 years ago. It allows an emergency crew travelling to a fire to download key information about the scene, whether it is a building or a vehicle collision. This enables firefighters to plan ahead and hit the ground running when they arrive.

A crew on the way to a car crash, for example, can download information about the types of vehicles involved. This might include details such as explosives in airbags, high voltage batteries, liquid gas tanks and other new hybrid car technologies. It also enables emergency crews to report online from the scene of an incident.