Client: FirstNet | First Responders Network Authority Supervision: Dr. Kate Kapalo, IUPUI Project Team: Esen Gokpinar-Shelton, Rob Quick, Sakshi Shirbhate, Nick Weiner
My Role
I joined a powerhouse of grad students from across disciplines to dig deep into the world of first responders—specifically, how wearable tech might serve the real-world needs of firefighters. My contributions spanned synthesizing dense literature, curating an annotated bibliography, conducting in-depth interviews, co-writing sharp executive summaries, and helping bring our collective insights to life in final presentations for FirstNet Authority.
Project Summary
This project wasn’t just about gadgets—it was about understanding the human behind the helmet. We wanted to explore how smart wearable technology could make a life-saving difference during some of the most intense, high-stakes firefighting moments.
Duration
15 weeks January 23 - May 2 2023
Scope
We kicked things off with a thorough literature review of wearable tech tailored to first responder scenarios, paired with targeted market research. Then, we zoomed in: we analyzed FirstNet’s current tech ecosystem and zeroed in on how these tools could empower firefighters’ situational awareness, health monitoring, and critical decision-making in the field.
The Problem
Wearables are everywhere—from fitness tracking to staying connected on the go. But for firefighters, the stakes are higher. We asked: how can we tailor this tech to truly support their mission—without adding unnecessary noise or risk?
Literature Review
We combed through 67 academic and commercial sources—books, journal articles, conference papers—anything that shed light on wearable tech for first responders. The goal: map the terrain, spot the trends, flag the friction. The result was a clear-eyed view of what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s possible.