Deputy Chief of the Worchester Fire Department John F. Sullivan

Radiometric triangulating and inertial navigation systems could allow firefighters to locate and rescue injured comrades in dense smoke. Personal inertial systems can generate three-dimensional positions that are then radioed back to a central command post with information about the firefighter’s health.

Caption:
“When firefighters enter a burning structure, especially large complex commercial buildings, they can quickly lose visibility and their ability to maintain orientation. And traditional GPS doesn’t work inside buildings."
Type: Photograph
Image Date: 2012
Credit: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
Origin: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
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“When firefighters enter a burning structure, especially large complex commercial buildings, they can quickly lose visibility and their ability to maintain orientation. And traditional GPS doesn’t work inside buildings."