In the battle against California’s relentless wildfires, where more than 40,000 acres have burned and thousands have been forced from their homes, firefighters risk everything to protect communities. While coastal firefighters work to protect their communities, researchers in the Midwest are working to protect them.
The Exposure Awareness System (EAS), developed in Dayton, Ohio, by Cornerstone Research Group (CRG) in collaboration with VigiLife, delivers critical, real-time data on the health and safety of firefighters. Using wearable sensors and VigiLife’s SafeGuard® platform, the system captures everything from heart rate and core body temperature to exposure to dangerous airborne particles and gases.
“Firefighters face extreme conditions,” said Elaine MacAslan, a CRG research engineer. “EAS gives them and their commanders real-time data they need to make informed decisions about the risks they face.”
The technology has been put to the test in high-stakes environments. At the Nassau County Fire Service Academy in New York, CRG and its collaborators deployed EAS during live fire training exercises. EMS personnel, who often work without respiratory protection, wore wearable sensors that tracked their exposure to hazardous particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The team conducted lung function testing before and after the training burns.
The data revealed alarming trends: particulate levels spiked during the burns and remained at elevated, unhealthy levels during post-fire overhaul when personnel often removed respiratory protection.
“There’s a misconception that the danger ends once the flames are out,” said Becca Browning, a CRG researcher. “Our data shows that’s far from the truth.”
The system also revealed risks beyond the immediate fire zone, with particulate levels exceeding safe thresholds up to 40 feet from burning structures, where EMS personnel are often stationed without respiratory protection.
Closer to home, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, EAS was used during fire department training burns. The system tracked similar metrics, showing how physical exertion combined with heavy protective gear led to dangerous heat stress levels.
“This isn’t just data for data’s sake,” said Mark Cridge, a principal investigator and CRG research engineer. “It’s actionable information that can help chiefs adjust protocols and protect their teams.”
The need for such technology has never been more critical. Southern California is bracing for another round of Santa Ana winds, which threaten to fan the flames of the Palisades Fire, only partially contained. Firefighters on the front lines are exposed not only to the flames but to the invisible threats like particulates, toxic gases, and the physical strain that accumulates over grueling shifts.
CRG’s work is also deeply personal for the communities it serves. In Ohio, a local fire chief turned to CRG for help after observing a troubling pattern of cardiac arrests among firefighters following major fire events. These incidents are believed to stem from a combination of airborne hazards, elevated heart rates, and heat stress.
To address these concerns, CRG equipped local firefighters with the EAS over several weeks, monitoring their physiological and environmental exposure during daily activities. The system provided real-time alerts for high VOC levels, elevated core body temperatures, and increased heart rates, demonstrating the effectiveness of SafeGuard® and wearable sensors in safeguarding first responders.
Zachary Kiehl, CEO of VigiLife, has witnessed the impact of this technology firsthand during testing and deployment. He recounted the words of a fire chief who requested anonymity:
“SafeGuard has been a game changer for us. For the first time, we can see the toll that heat, exertion, and exposure take on our firefighters in real time. This technology helps us adapt on the fly—whether it’s rotating crews faster, extending rehab times, or identifying unseen risks like elevated VOC levels. It’s giving us the tools to protect our teams today and make operational improvements that will keep them safer in the future.”
While the current focus is on California’s devastating blazes, CRG’s technology has broad applications. Born out of a collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory, EAS was initially developed to protect military personnel exposed to airborne hazards. Now, it’s poised to become a critical tool for first responders and others in hazardous professions.
“EAS is about both short- and long-term protection,” MacAslan said. “It leverages data to improve protocols and outcomes, protecting firefighters throughout their careers and beyond.”
As the nation grapples with the growing intensity and frequency of wildfires, solutions like EAS offer hope—not just for firefighters but for the communities they protect.
For more information, visit www.crgrp.com/exposure-awareness-system.
About Cornerstone Research Group
Cornerstone Research Group, headquartered in Miamisburg, OH, is a high-technology company delivering innovative solutions to aerospace, defense, and industrial markets since 1997. CRG’s multidisciplinary teams collaborate with leading technology providers, positioning the company as a fast-growing leader in innovation and technology commercialization. CRG’s technology portfolio includes aerosystems, power and energy solutions, medical and sensors technology, materials science, and advanced manufacturing. CRG is a Rushlight Assets company. For more information, visit www.crgrp.com.
About VigiLife
Based in Dayton, OH, VigiLife is a spinout of Aptima and the Air Force Research Laboratory, specializing in connected health and safety technology. A leader in protecting at-risk individuals, VigiLife offers innovative solutions like the SafeGuard® platform, which combines wearable sensors, real-time monitoring, and advanced analytics. These tools enable organizations to enhance employee well-being and productivity, particularly in addressing challenges like heat stress. Recognized for innovation and impact, VigiLife is dedicated to building safer, healthier workplaces worldwide. Learn more at www.vigilife.com.