POSTECH and Pohang Southern Fire Station Develop a Helmet with an Integrated Radio
In the Jecheon sports center fire that claimed 29 lives last December, obsolete radios reportedly failed at the scene, causing responders to miss the critical response window and worsening casualties. Information that many people needed rescue on the second floor did not reach crews because of radio failure.
Radios play a vital role in reducing casualties at fires and disasters. Smoke and noise make rapid situational awareness difficult, so radios conveying instructions become firefighters' eyes and ears. Conventional radios, however, could not be operated during firefighting tasks, while noise otherwise required cumbersome earphones.
Professor Wonbin Hong's Electrical Engineering team and Pohang Southern Fire Station developed a firefighting helmet integrating an antenna and radio. Built-in antennas and speakers directly convey operational instructions and requests. Previously, radios were clipped to thick protective jackets, making operation impossible during tasks requiring both hands, and scene noise could make instructions inaudible. Wired earphones could slip or fall out, and thick gloves prevented reinsertion.
The team focused on the helmet, mandatory safety equipment close to the ears. Adding radio reception lets firefighters keep both hands free for rescue/firefighting while receiving instructions accurately. Integrated radio helmet (1).
Developed after two months of research, the helmet receives wireless communications without separate radio operation. Small detachable antenna/speaker modules minimize weight and allow washing with water, improving practical usability. It also demonstrates university research developed with a public agency into technology protecting citizens.
Haksoo Sim, Head of Prevention and Safety at Pohang Southern Fire Station, said, “Years at fire scenes have shown the urgent need to improve radio communications. We hope this helmet developed with POSTECH reaches firefighters nationwide and helps protect lives and property.”
Hong said, “It is rewarding to use miniaturized wireless technology and expertise to help firefighters conduct rescues more safely. Since rescue work concerns everyone's safety, we will actively cooperate whenever our technology can contribute to society.”
Related videos: YTN Science; Pohang MBC News.
