Finding People Through Dense Smoke... Firefighting Thermal Imaging Camera to Be Deployed on Trial

Jointly developed by the National Fire Research Institute and the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
Field validation at four fire stations nationwide through November 27

A specialized thermal imaging camera for firefighting has been developed to clearly identify people and obstacles even in the dense smoke at fire scenes, and will be deployed on a trial basis to frontline crews.

Demonstration of the Performance of Visual-Enhancement Thermal Imaging Cameras. National Fire Agency

The National Fire Research Institute under the National Fire Agency said it developed a “visual-enhancement thermal imaging camera for firefighting” in collaboration with the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) and will conduct field validation at four fire stations across the country through November 27.

Until now, visibility at compartment fire scenes has been severely limited by dense smoke and incomplete-combustion materials, increasing the risk of safety accidents among firefighters and limiting their ability to rescue people quickly.

The institute applied smoke-removal visual-enhancement image-processing technology based on a low-power FPGA (a semiconductor with reconfigurable internal circuitry) to long-wave infrared (LWIR) images in real time, at 60 frames per second and with a latency of no more than 1/1,000 of a second. This enables users to identify the shapes and details of objects even in darkness and smoke.

Compared with the initial model developed in 2023, the trial equipment incorporates extensive feedback from frontline firefighters and has significantly improved portability and mobility.

Its overall volume has been reduced by 66%, from 4,475 cubic centimeters to 1,503 cubic centimeters, while its weight has been cut by 64%, from 1,280 grams to 456 grams. It also features a detachable handle and IP67-rated water and dust resistance, and its interface has been improved for intuitive operation while wearing thick firefighting gloves.

The institute plans to evaluate the equipment’s usability and visual-enhancement performance from multiple angles at four fire stations selected with consideration for factors such as callout numbers and training schedules. It will then incorporate the feedback collected and move toward expanding its deployment nationwide.

Kim Yeonsang, head of the National Fire Research Institute, said, “Securing visibility even one second sooner at a fire scene filled with dense smoke is key to protecting firefighters and ensuring that people can be rescued within the golden hour. Through the trial, we will thoroughly verify the equipment’s usefulness in the field and accelerate research and development so that advanced technological equipment can be adopted by frontline crews.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.