Second consecutive win for Blackline recognizes breakthrough innovation in firefighter safety and emergency response
Blackline Safety Corp. , a global leader in connected safety technology, has announced that its G8 safety wearable has won a 2026 Firehouse Innovation Award, marking the company’s second consecutive win following last year’s recognition of its EXO 8 area monitor.
The Firehouse Innovation Awards recognize breakthrough technologies that advance firefighting and emergency response capabilities. G8 was selected for its ability to “improve situational awareness and support safer decision-making during complex incidents.”
G8 and its supporting software, Blackline Live, combine advanced gas detection, lone-worker protection, real-time communication, and live field data. Unlike traditional gas detectors that only sound an alarm locally, G8 gives command teams live gas readings, alerts, and precise firefighter location in one device so they can coordinate a faster response while streaming live data directly to the cloud and keeping their crews and communities safe.
For fire and hazmat teams, Blackline’s lightweight, intrinsically safe devices mean fewer tools needed to get the job done while having enhanced human-to-human communication capabilities at their fingertips.
This connected visibility is making a difference for organizations such as The New Bedford Fire Department in Massachusetts, for example, which credits G8’s remote capability for enhancing the department’s emergency response safety.
“With G8, I now have alerts set to my phone, so when my guys go into an LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) environment or any type of high alarm, I immediately get notified,” said Travis Rebello, Hazardous Materials Coordinator and Firefighter, New Bedford Fire Department, Massachusetts. “As I’m on the phone with my dispatcher, I can get immediate answers to questions such as What are they into? Do they need assistance? For situational awareness and firefighter safety, this has greatly increased our capability.”
The award comes amid growing adoption of Blackline’s connected safety technology by fire and hazmat organizations worldwide. In April, the company reported 42% growth in its fire-hazmat customer base, with more than 500 fire departments globally deploying its connected personal and area monitors. Users rely on Blackline’s cloud-connected safety platform to help them perform their high-risk work quickly, efficiently, and safely.
G8 and Blackline Live have also earned two 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Industrial Hygiene Awards in the IoT Connected Devices and Software categories, respectively.
For Rebello, whose two sons are also firefighters, the value of connected safety is deeply personal. “Both of my sons work in fire. One works on the fire department with me, and one works in the next town over, so it’s not just my guys; my kids are here. I trust them with Blackline,” he said.
“Firefighters and hazmat teams face unpredictable environments, where knowing what’s happening in real-time can make all the difference,” said Jon Baldwin, CEO, Blackline Safety. “G8 connects the people on the frontlines with the teams responsible for keeping them safe. This recognition reflects the feedback we constantly receive from fire departments that better visibility and communication give responders the confidence to do their jobs and get home safe.
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