Improving Fire Fighter Health and Safety with Uninterrupted-Real-Time Personal IDLH Sensors
Kathy Notarianni, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Raymond Ranellone, Jr., Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Format: Audio MP3 Download: $18
Audio Compact Disc: $23

Fire fighters and other emergency responders are routinely exposed to hazardous environments that contain harmful gases and particulates. These potentially IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) environments require the use of specially designed personal protective equipment (e.g., SCBA). Only limited technology exists to provide uninterrupted real-time information to clarify the hazardous environment for personal operating within these areas. This session will discuss research underway to develop a sensor that could significantly reduce, if not eliminate, line-of-duty injuries and deaths for emergency responders resulting from inadvertent inhalation of toxic gases.