Modern fabric technology has created extremely effective turnout gear for firefighters. This protects them so well from the harsh, intense environments that they encounter a situation that is somewhat counterproductive! Firefighters are so well protected from the heat that they can become less than adequately aware of their developing surroundings. In some reported cases, they have found themselves in life-threatening circumstances. All firefighters are exposed to extreme heat, some, like those involved in training, are exposed far more frequently, increasing their risk of heat-related illness.
The New Nimbus AT-100 offers a simple solution to help prevent heat-related illness and injuries to firefighters. This British manufactured device is the latest in performance protection technology designed to enhance the firefighter’s situational awareness at a fire scene.
The Nimbus can accurately monitor ambient temperatures surrounding the firefighter, alerting him or her of changes in temperature. It can even alert the wearer of an imminent flashover. Data logging and analytics from the Nimbus provide post-incident exposure data to assist in health monitoring and occupational health management. The Nimbus can also inform firefighters when they have reached a critical point on a time/heat exposure curve; at this point, they can then decide to stay or leave the scene.
The Nimbus is an extremely lightweight device that fits on to any helmet; the firefighter does not even need to remember to switch it on!
This smart device is always on. In normal temperatures, it is in “ready mode”. This is shown by a gentle flashing green LED that gives the firefighter and his/her colleagues the peace of mind that the Nimbus is on and ready to protect them!
As the firefighter moves around his/her environment, the Nimbus is constantly monitoring and making calculations based on his or her exposure to heat and heat changes.
As the temperature of the environment changes, it alerts the firefighter by a simple sequence of colour changes and vibrations to the helmet. The vibration signal passes directly through the helmet to the firefighter’s head, while the LED colour changes are visible in the firefighter’s peripheral vision, thus giving both visual and sensory indications.
At the same time, a high intensity (smoke penetrating) LED will also illuminate from the rear of the unit, giving your colleagues a visual indication by way of a buddy light system.
As the environment becomes more and more intense, the Nimbus will continue to give simple and easily recognised sensory and visual warnings until critical levels are reached. At which point, it will deliver a unique, more intense warning signal, intended to remind the user that a decision point is imminent based on the environmental information being received.
So, no buttons to press, no screens or gauges to remember to look at, it’s always there working to assist firefighters and alert them to their situational awareness needs.
If you are a fire service and interested in testing a nimbus, contact sales@Go-Rescue.co.uk
If you want to be a distribution partner, visit www.nimbusalert.com and fill out the “contact us” form.
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