MSA Safety, Inc. announced that its handheld LUNAR™ Connected Device can be used on FirstNet® to provide firefighters with a solution to help strengthen the incident response. LUNAR, a wireless, search and rescue device for firefighters that doubles as a personal thermal imaging camera, is the first device of its kind to work with the FirstNet network.
FirstNet, built with AT&T, is designed with and for America's first responders and the extended public safety community that could be called upon to support them. FirstNet was born and shaped by the vision of Congress and the first responder community following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It is built with AT&T in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) – an independent agency within the federal government.
The FirstNet network provides first responders with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when needed. LUNAR devices manufactured and shipped as of May 2023 have already been certified as FirstNet capable.
FirstNet ecosystem
FirstNet embedded solutions go through a review process to ensure the highest standards
"We continuously look for ways to enhance firefighter safety and to help keep firefighters better connected to each other and incident commanders," said Jason Traynor, MSA Safety's General Manager of Global Fire Service Products.
He adds, "LUNAR delivers on MSA's vision of bringing new-to-world technology to the fire service, while also delivering on our mission of helping to keep firefighters safe on the job."
LUNAR joins the FirstNet ecosystem through the FirstNet Embedded IoT Program, which allows organizations like MSA Safety to integrate FirstNet into industry-pioneering FirstNet-eligible devices. This creates a single, end-to-end solution for FirstNet-eligible customers. FirstNet embedded solutions go through an extensive review process to ensure they meet the highest standards for reliability, security, and performance.
MSA Connected Firefighter Platform
LUNAR is part of the MSA Connected Firefighter Platform, which is a suite of products engineered to work together to help firefighters see and assess a situation like never before.
The platform helps to improve firefighter safety by bringing together technology-based equipment and tools to enhance connectivity, accountability, and communications, both on and off the fireground.
FirstNet IoT Embedded Program
Beyond thermal imaging capability with edge detection, LUNAR also features GPS capability
"We're pleased to welcome MSA Safety as a member of our FirstNet IoT Embedded Program," said Matt Walsh, Assistant Vice President of Product Management and Development, FirstNet Program at AT&T, adding "This allows us to further our mission to deploy, operate, maintain, and enhance the only nationwide wireless platform dedicated to public safety and the extended community that supports public safety response."
Beyond enhanced thermal imaging capability with edge detection, LUNAR also features firefighter-to-firefighter ranging, GPS capability, and MSA's proprietary Firefighting Assisting Search Technology (F.A.S.T.), which alerts and provides other LUNAR devices with real-time information to aid in locating downed team members.
FireGrid Monitor Map View
A LUNAR device's GPS capabilities enable FireGrid Monitor Map View and shows the approximate location of firefighters while they're outside of a structure, which can aid incident commanders with situational awareness.
Additionally, LUNAR offers cloud connectivity to enhance firefighter safety and accountability by providing incident command with an overview of on-scene operations by aggregating data from other MSA devices, including the G1 self-contained breathing apparatus. In use, LUNAR can transmit helpful self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) information such as cylinder air pressure, battery status, and various alarm indicators.