The three-year agreement makes Waco the second Texas department to test Qwake’s C-THRU helmet, which combines thermal imaging with navigation, communication and safety alerts

By Christopher De Los Santos
Waco Tribune-Herald

WACO, Texas — Waco firefighters soon will be using a new thermal imaging augmented reality system not yet available to the general public.

The Waco City Council last week approved a three-year, $396,000 agreement with Qwake Technologies Inc. of Austin, allowing the fire department to buy at a discount the hands-free thermal imaging equipment and software, along with training on its use. The Waco Fire Department will be the second in Texas to train with and evaluate Qwake’s helmet-mounted C-THRU system, which combines thermal imaging with augmented reality displays that allow firefighters to see critical information while operating in smoke-filled or low-visibility environments, a letter from Qwake executive Austin James says.

| WHAT FIREFIGHTERS WANT: Annual report spotlights training needs

In addition to thermal imaging, which the department now has access to through handheld equipment, the Qwake system can provide navigation assistance, real-time video streaming to command staff, safety alerts and post-incident review capabilities, according to the letter.

The department expects delivery within 60 days, Deputy Chief Philip Burnett said Friday.

“The designers and distributors of this technology will be traveling to our training facility to deliver a robust training program prior to the devices being placed in service,” Burnett said.

Fire officials intend to have the new systems deployed in January, he said.

Under Qwake’s development program, firefighters will use the system in the field and provide feedback.

The city’s agreement provides for purchase and support of 16 C-THRU helmet-mounted units, along with command center software, training, connectivity services and related equipment.

The city received a 30% discount on the augmented reality systems and a 60% discount on accessories such as cases, mounts and command tablets, compared with retail prices, according to the purchase agreement.

The purchase is through a sole-source procurement process, an alternative to seeking competitive bids that can be used when a product is only available from a single supplier.

James’ letter to the city says other systems, including 3M’s Scott Sight In-Mask Thermal Imager and Longan Vision’s Fusion Vision System still in the prototype stage, do not have the same combination of features as Qwake’s, including navigation, communication and post-incident data analysis features. A Smart Firefighter Helmet developed by the University of Edinburgh remains in the early research phase and is focused on demonstrating the technology rather than operational use, James wrote.

How emerging technologies are shaping the future of the fire service

The five-alarm blaze at East Jordan Plastics knocked out city power and forced homecoming events to be postponed, with 13 fire agencies using an estimated 2 million gallons of water

September 28, 2026 09:18 AM

Upper Gwynedd and three neighboring communities are considering regionalizing fire services as departments struggle with daytime staffing, recruitment, rising call volumes and costs

September 27, 2026 08:00 AM

La Crosse Fire Station No. 4, built in 1941 and considered the city’s first modern firehouse, has received national historic recognition after being converted into a residence

September 27, 2026 12:00 PM

Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino cast the deciding vote against the deal, citing rising health insurance costs, after Councilor Craig Diego questioned the contract’s pay raises, staffing cuts and no-layoff clause

September 28, 2026 07:04 AM

© 2026 Waco Tribune-Herald, Texas.
Visit www.wacotrib.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

From firehouses to offices and homes, Americans across nearly 250 communities pay tribute to firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11. Join the movement: climb one flight, share it, and challenge three others

September 01, 2026 04:08 PM