Hoosier Tech Aims to Boost Firefighter Health
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Bloomington-based company hopes its technology will help more firefighters track a dangerous job hazard. Envisage Technologies operates training and compliance software for first responders throughout the country and last year acquired the cloud-based Exposure Tracker software, which helps firefighters track their exposure to carcinogens on any web-connected device. The software was created by Clive Savacool, a 20-year fire service veteran, who came up with the idea after dealing with exposure difficulties himself.
In an interview with Business of Health Reporter Kylie Veleta, Savacool explained the importance of firefighters tracking their exposures.
"It’s similar to why would have an annual physical with our doctor," said Savacool. "Even if we’re feeling fine, going to the doctor creates that level of awareness and so we kind of know what’s going on. So, exposure tracking gives firefighters the ability to have that level of awareness on how many fires they’re going to and what kind of symptoms they might be having that might be progressing."
Savacool says the ultimate goal of the software is to give firefighters the awareness to change their behavior.
"(With) this tool, they can be more proactive with wearing their PPE, their personal protective equipment. It’ll be more helpful with them as far as how they go and see their physician when they have a symptom and so the software itself is going to be the tool to create awareness so they’re more proactive versus being reactive once they come down with some sort of chronic illness."
Kim Storvick, customer outreach manager for Envisage Technologies, joined Savacool on the show and said the exposure tracker is just one part of the company’s First Forward platform.
"In addition to (the exposure tracker), there are other tools on the site that can help with firefighter health and safety and wellness," said Storvick. "Not only can firefighters track their exposures and what they respond to, but they can also then go take important training to help them learn those best practices and be as careful as they can in the field."
You can watch the full interview in the video above.