Augmented Reality Aims To Help Familiarize PA Kids With Firefighters

NORTH WALES, PA — Firefighters from a local volunteer fire company in the North Wales region have developed a new augmented reality program aimed at better familiarizing young children with firefighters.

The new augmented reality technology was the brainchild of the North Penn Fire Company, which partnered with forensic investigation firm DJS Associates to develop the augmented reality experience that the two groups say brings firefighter familiarization to anyone with a smartphone or tablet.

The goal of the program, according to North Penn Fire Co., is to help lessen the fright potential of seeing firefighters in a home decked out in their full gear — helmets, breathing apparatuses, axes and all — so young children know the fire crews are there to help, and not scare.

"This new technology allows us to place one of our firefighters right in your living room, basement, front porch, or anywhere you want," Matthew Daywalt, fire prevention officer at the North Penn Volunteer Fire Company, said in a statement. "Now, kids and families can become even more familiar with firefighters, even from the safety and comfort of their own home."

The program is being billed as "cutting-edge" technology, which may be the first of its kind out there and can be used by families all around the world.

"We all have families. Realizing we could use this technology to help keep our neighbors safe from harm is an obvious opportunity for us," Justin Schorr, chief executive officer of DJS Associates, said in a statement. "We've always felt a call to aid in the prevention of tragedy, and we are honored any time we can use our deep bench of professionals and our equipment to do so."

Steve McGlynn, of the North Penn Volunteer Fire Company, told Patch that if his organization can help just one child run "towards a firefighter in an emergency rather than away, then we've been successful."

The fire company said that the QR code for the program is free and available to the general public for use. It can be found on the company's website.

The release of the new augmented reality technology coincided with national Fire Prevention Week, which is the second week in October.