Firefighters with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District have new technology that helps them navigate through burning buildings and find people twice as fast, according to the Fire Chief.
The technology is called the C-Thru platform. It includes a navigation unit that attaches to the firefighter's helmet and allows them to clearly see objects in a burning building.
Made by San Francisco based startup, Qwake Technologies, the C-Thru navigator uses thermal imaging technology to help firefighters identify objects in their path, retrace their steps to find exits and communicate with other firefighters.
The Menlo Park Fire Protection District is the first in the nation to use the new technology.
Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman said they signed a contract on Friday to purchase units for each of their 40 front-line firefighters, for a total of $210,000.