Award-winning safety technology enhances firefighter protection and emergency response

Connected safety technology from Blackline Safety Corp. designed to enhance worker protection and emergency response, has received a 2026 Firehouse Innovation Award, recognising its contribution to situational awareness and decision-making during high-risk incidents. The award marks a second consecutive win for the technology provider, following recognition of its EXO 8 area monitor in 2025.

The Firehouse Innovation Awards celebrate technologies that advance firefighting and emergency response capabilities. The G8 safety wearable was recognised for its ability to improve situational awareness and support safer decisions in complex and potentially hazardous environments.

The wearable and its supporting software platform combine gas detection, lone-worker protection, real-time communications and live operational data. Unlike conventional gas detectors that rely solely on local alarms, the connected system provides command teams with live gas readings, alerts and precise personnel location information. This enables supervisors to monitor conditions remotely, coordinate responses more effectively and improve visibility of workers operating in hazardous areas.

These capabilities are already being used by fire and hazardous materials response teams. Travis Rebello, Hazardous Materials Coordinator and Firefighter with the New Bedford Fire Department in Massachusetts, highlighted the benefits of receiving remote alerts when personnel enter environments with potentially explosive atmospheres or encounter high gas readings.

“It's G8’s remote capability - I now have alerts set to my phone, so when my guys go into an LEL environment or any type of high alarm, I immediately get notified,” Rebello said. He explained that the alerts allow him to coordinate with dispatch and assess whether crews require assistance, adding that the technology has significantly improved situational awareness and firefighter safety.

The award comes amid increasing adoption of connected safety systems among fire and hazardous materials organisations worldwide. In April 2026, the technology provider reported 42% growth in its fire and hazardous materials customer base, with its technology deployed across more than 500 departments globally.

The G8 wearable and its associated software platform have also received two 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Industrial Hygiene Awards, in the Internet of Things (IoT) Connected Devices and Software categories.

The importance of personnel monitoring is particularly evident in high-risk environments, where hazardous gases, changing atmospheric conditions and limited visibility can complicate incident management. For industrial sectors such as oil and gas, petrochemicals and refining, connected gas detection and real-time personnel monitoring can support faster intervention, improved coordination and more informed safety decisions.

For Rebello, the technology's role in protecting emergency responders has personal significance, as both of his sons are firefighters.

“Both of my sons work fire. One works on the fire department with me, and one works in the next town over, so it's not just my guys, my kids are here. I trust him with Blackline,” he said.