FireGuard

About the Project

FireGuard was inspired by real fireground challenges, where conditions can change rapidly and it is difficult for command to know when a firefighter is in danger. With firsthand experience in the fire service, we wanted to build a simple system that improves awareness and accountability in these environments.

Our project is a wearable safety device that monitors motion, temperature, and air quality. If a firefighter stops moving, encounters hazardous conditions, or activates the SOS, the system sends real-time alerts to a command unit. This allows faster recognition of emergencies and quicker response.

We built the system using two Arduino Uno boards. The firefighter unit collects sensor data using a GY-521 (motion), MQ-2 (air quality), and a temperature sensor, while also providing local alerts through the UI. A second Arduino receives this data and sends it to a laptop dashboard via serial communication.

The system gathers realtime data with each individual sensor and sends it to the receiver as a String with all our values included. From there it is put into the UI and displayed realtime, updating every 2 seconds.

One of the main challenges was working without Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so we designed it with a simple RF transmitter and receiver setup. We also had to manage limited memory and sensor accuracy.

This project shows how low-cost technology can improve firefighter safety and has potential for future expansion with wireless and GPS integration.