Gray Fire Chief Chosen to Test Out ‘Google Glass’

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The city of Gray’s fire chief is one of 8,000 people across the country who’s got his hands on brand new technology “Google Glass.”

Wearing ‘Glass’ is just like wearing a pair of glasses. To get it going, you put on Glass, look up through the prism in the corner of the gadget, then swipe your finger on the side, or talk to it. From there, you can see and do the same things you would on a smart phone.

Chief Max Wood tried out the technology battling a fire a couple of weeks ago. He said it’s already bringing a new perspective to his department.

Wood shared some pictures and video he recorded using Glass.

“It helps us in training… As far as critiquing,” said Wood, Gray Fire Chief.

Basically, Wood says you learn what you’re good at, and where you can improve. He says Glass also helps in the investigation process, and figuring out the cause of the fire.

“There’s so much going on at the moment you miss things,” said Wood.

To get his hands on a pair of the limited technology, Wood entered Google’s “If I Had Glass” competition.

He won the chance to be in on the testing phase by telling developers how he would use Glass to provide firefighters with pre-fire planning maps.

In his entry, wood also wrote “It would supply real-time video feeds… with instructions like ‘evacuate now’.”

“Even out West where you have a wildfire, being able to provide weather conditions, updates, for somebody who’s 8 miles away from command,” said Wood.

His idea is just one way, Wood believes, emergency responders can benefit from the ‘extra eyes’ Glass provides.

Wood did have to pay for his “Google Glass.” The specialized product cost him $1,500, and he had to fly to New York to pick them up.

Since Glass isn’t hitting stores until 2014, not only is Wood one of the select few testing out the product, but he’s also helping to develop applications known as “Glassware.”