Opportunities for WSN for facilitating fire emergency response

The number of firefighter deaths and casualties (274 in 2007, 352 in 2006) published in the latest UK fire statistics demonstrates the demand for better support for first responders. More complete information can help the fire Incident Commanders (ICs) analyze the risks and deal with the hazards more efficiently. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have shown great potential in providing information from inside the building. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive understanding of how ICs retrieve the required information on-site and what WSNs can provide to facilitate fire Emergency Response. An analysis of fire ICs´ requirements was undertaken, to understand their goals, tasks/decisions, and information needs. The result was a list of technology opportunities for WSNs. The findings established a link between ICs´ requirements and WSNs´ technology capabilities, which can contribute to sustainable fire disaster management using WSN technology.