As Viewed by Fire Chief Jones

The Newport News Fire Department, after 9-11, identified the need to improve firefighting capability in the major highway tunnels that connect the Hampton Roads area.  The department conducted research in various options to improve the regions response to a catastrophic fire event in the tunnels.  The solution was found half a world away. 

The Newport Fire Department identified a remote control tunnel firefighting robot as the most cost effective solution to the problem.  The region was able to obtain Federal Highway funding for this initiative through hard work and local, state, and federal support.  The local match was provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation.  The result is that Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, and Portsmouth will be able to deploy these unique units in early 2007.  This is a solid example of teamwork on a regional basis.

For more information, read the article "Firefighter Safety Spurs Interest in Robots", Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment - Aug 2007 (pdf).