February 20, 2024

Janessa Angela Alerre

10th Grade

George Washington High School

Firefighters, notable figures who ensure the safety of communities, go through risky endeavors. According to the U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association, there have been 60 and 100 firefighter line-of-duty deaths each year. Consequently, they cannot avoid hazardous situations where their lives are on the line—putting out the fire and rescuing people. However, firefighting personnel encounter situations where they cannot access the fire site. This is due to extremely high temperatures, or the presence of explosive materials. Under such circumstances, how is it possible to minimize the risk of death among firefighters as they try their best to save others?

Fire-fighting robots are the answer! They can be beneficial in assisting firefighters, as they are lightweight, small, and capable of withstanding extremely hot temperatures. For instance, they can resist temperatures of up to 450 degrees Celcius (839 degrees Fahrenheit.) They are controlled wirelessly and can transmit data of what’s occurring inside to the firefighters. Oftentimes, the conditions of the building are unpredictable, though the robot can predict when the buildings will cave in through the detection of temperature. Hence, allowing firemen to reduce their risks of getting wounded or killed by the collapse.  Furthermore, these robots can be equipped with technology that allows them to extinguish fires—allowing operators to remain outside of the building if necessary. This technology allows the robot to use water, foam, or both as a way of extinguishing the fire. 

In conclusion, this system should be utilized in an extremely dangerous situation to prevent any fatalities. Fire-fighting robots assist firefighters by detecting obstacles that will possibly put them in more danger. They’re capable of being controlled wirelessly, thus allowing the operator to know the lurking risks inside the building. As a result, these robots will eventually be implemented into fire-fighting stations—improving efficiency in the firefighting community.