New equipment helps firefighters work in the dark - KLTV.com - Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |ETX News

A local company has developed a product that illuminates a firefighter's tools and helmet, making it easier to fight fires at night.

The Cincinnati Fire Department is just one of a handful of departments using Foxfire products with an illuminating glow. It not only makes the job easier but safer.

Tackling an active fire at night creates a number of challenges for firefighters. Reflective strips help outside when there is light to reflect, but what happens inside?

Wyoming firefighter Taylor Wood describes it as "going blind."

"Just that not knowing feeling of where you put your tool down, you don't know, certain things like that," he said.

Regular flashlights cannot cut through smoke which is why he started using a foxfire illumination band on his helmet and tools.

"I put my tool down in the corner of the room, I went to the other side of the room, I could see it right through the smoke."

Foxfire products were developed and are owned by volunteer firefighter Zach Green, and it can be used on a wide range of equipment.

"In some cases it illuminates so brightly that it can actually illuminate your search area to help you find victims," he said. "Some departments are putting this on their fire hydrants so they can locate their fire hydrants at night."

Other fire departments using foxfire products are Woodlawn, Loveland and Cincinnati which just ordered 1100 helmet bands to keep its crews safe.

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