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Firefighter wearing c-thru navigator

Photo credit: DHS S&T

DHS S&T Release Field Assessment Report on C-THRU

Posted: May 30, 2024

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) released results of an Operational Field Assessment (OFA) of C-THRU, a real-time visualization system intended to provide firefighters with technology that can minimize the disorientation associated with fire response operations within structures.

What is C-THRU?

C-THRU offers a suite of imaging, navigation and visual communication applications via the helmet-mounted C-THRU Navigator and corresponding Visual Command platform. For more information, read “Picturing the Future of Firefighting,” which includes details on the technology and a short video featuring responder testimony.

How was C-THRU tested?

The OFA of the C-THRU system was conducted at the San Diego Fire-Rescue Training Facility in San Diego, California. The OFA consisted of 8 firefighter evaluators using C-THRU while conducting job tasks typically encountered during fire response and Incident Command efforts including:

  • Searching for a heat source using varying techniques (duck walks, leg forward and crawling) while stretching hose line.
  • Conducting a search-and-rescue effort and searching for a downed firefighter.
  • Running Incident Command operations with responders observing real-time feeds of evaluators wearing C-THRU Navigator and requesting actions such as face-to-face meetings through the system.

Who conducted the Operational Field Assessment?

Working with the DHS S&T, the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL) conducted the OFA. The DHS S&T works closely with the nation’s emergency response community to identify and prioritize mission capability gaps, as well as facilitate the rapid development of critical solutions to address responders’ everyday technology needs. As these new technologies near completion, NUSTL conducts an OFA to evaluate the prototype's capabilities and operational suitability.

Where can I get more information?

To learn more about the evaluators’ findings and suggestions for improvement of the C-THRU technology, the C-THRU OFA report is available on the DHS website.

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This article is based on content in the
May 30, 2024 InfoGram.

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