BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A technology born right here in the Queen City is now keeping firefighters safe nationwide.
Buffalo-based tech firm 3AM created "Florian" which is a software that tracks first responders when in burning buildings.
The idea for this technology was born out of tragedy, when two Buffalo firefighters were killed responding to a fire on Genesee Street, back in 2009.
Patrick O'Connor, President and Co-Founder of 3AM, is a former Grand Island firefighter and told me he knew there had to be a better way to protect responders in the line of duty, so he decided to create it himself.
Watch below as O'Connor speaks about the technology.
O'Connor created "Florian" with the help of Ryan Litt, COO and Co-Founder of 3AM, in 2021.
Watch below as Litt speaks about the technology.
"For an active shooter, the first responders that get there sometimes are the firefighters, for medical aid and whatnot. Having the ability to know where they are and where the safety areas are for them to actually stage at, is critical," said O
"The typical firefighter has no idea where they are inside the building," O'Connor said, "It's all off of your own instinct and intuition of where you are, as you're traversing through a structure. You're supposed to give a report every few minutes or a PAR — a personal accountability report — but if you're confused, having someone come save you is going to make it very difficult."
The software sends your signal out to command so that resources can come to get you or they task other firefighters in the building to do so.
"With us, you can see someone using a Garmin satellite device, someone using a cell phone, someone using a smart watch all in one map. It actually allows the fire departments to have multiple different devices, all tracking in one."
"The most important application is 'mayday'. Every first responder typically calls out when he or she are in trouble, so ultimately, we started there. Since then. we've kind of adapted and have used it responsibly," Litt said.
The software has been used in other cities like Philadelphia and Boston, and now it will be used by the Orchard Park Fire Company.
"Orchard Park has an interesting layout because they're one of the only fire departments in the country that also serves a major NFL team, and there therefore, very high volume events," Litt said.
I reached out to Orchard Park VFD for a statement on this software that would enhance readiness:
"These abilities are proving indispensable during regular highly attended events like Bills games and OP's annual fireworks show. OPFD has now invested in continued use of FLORIAN technology, as it is proving to increase efficiency in safety. It is now being extended into planned exercises, and inevitably will prove itself in emergency incidents. Fun fact: Florian is the patron saint of firefighters."
It will help all types of events, including large events outside of fire situations.
Florian will be up and live in time for the Bills season.
