Navigating through thick, dark smoke is another battle that comes along with fighting fires. Luckily, a new technology is being utilized to combat it.

Firefighters with Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point test new innovative thermal vision headgear at the Cherry Point Fire Department on MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 2, 2021. The new headgear, Fusion Vision System, features a built-in thermal sensor, allowing first responders to identify objects or people within dark spaces. It is very difficult to see within the smoke of a fire, and in a rescue mission where seconds make the difference, being able to identify people quickly is crucial. This training helped identify the headgears benefits and drawbacks so it could be improved and used by firefighters across the globe. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Michele Clarke)