Emergencies can unfold quickly in unpredictable, high-pressure environments. For first responders such as firefighters, paramedics and rescue teams, every second counts – with each decision potentially meaning the difference between life and death.
Coordinated by researchers at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) and led by Federico Alvarez, the RESCUER team worked closely with partners across Europe, including emergency services and technical departments from nine countries. The goal was to boost both the safety and operational speed of first responders – and make cutting-edge tech such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT) more accessible to those on the front lines.
Smarter tools, faster rescues
Among RESCUER’s most striking innovations is a smart helmet that gives first responders augmented vision. Equipped with thermal imaging and AI-driven object recognition, the helmet allows rescuers to navigate smoke-filled or structurally unstable environments and locate survivors in real time.
“With thermal cameras and AI, responders can distinguish between animals, inanimate objects and human victims even when visibility is near zero,” explains Alvarez. Unlike traditional thermal displays, the helmet’s system identifies and classifies targets, helping responders make quicker, better-informed decisions.
The smart helmet also integrates bio-signal monitoring, tracking stress and cognitive load to help manage first responder safety. If a rescuer’s stress levels spike dangerously or cognitive overload is detected, the system can alert other teams before it escalates into a critical situation. Augmented hearing capabilities further cut through environmental noise, amplifying critical sounds such as cries for help or structural warnings – potentially buying crucial minutes for those in danger.
A second device, the Sign of Life radar, detects minute movements such as human breathing behind walls or debris. Compact enough to attach to a belt, the sensor increases the odds of locating survivors in collapsed structures. Early field trials suggest the radar could dramatically speed up rescue operations in earthquake-hit areas, forests and urban disaster zones.
No network, no problem
Disaster zones often lack the communication infrastructure that modern technology depends on. Recognising this, RESCUER also prioritised infrastructure-free operation. The smart helmet, radar and other tools work without relying on mobile networks – an essential advantage in mountains, tunnels or remote areas where connectivity is minimal or non-existent.
RESCUER’s methodology also sets it apart. Rather than engineering technologies in isolation, the team collaborated closely with first responders across nine countries. Exercises such as ‘Live My Life’ put the entire research team in real-world rescue scenarios, wearing full gear and undergoing the same training as their end users, giving them a first-hand insight into the physical and mental demands of emergency work.
This approach helped refine the tools into practical, lightweight devices able to withstand the physical and psychological stresses of an emergency response. “We moved away from a traditional technology-push model,” says Alvarez, “toward one driven by actual field use and user needs.”
Path to market
Several of RESCUER’s technologies, including the smart helmet, are now moving towards commercialisation, with interest from industries beyond emergency services, such as mining, construction and defence. Theon International, one of the project’s partners, is guiding the development for wider applications, with first products expected to reach the market within the year.
A number of first responder organisations across Europe are already evaluating prototypes in the field. The feedback will shape final refinements before full-scale deployment.
RESCUER has yielded tangible, real-world tools likely to save lives and reduce risks for the people who put themselves in danger to help others. As Alvarez puts it: “It’s about applying taxpayer-funded technology for when it matters most.”
