The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department outfitted the city's host stadium with cutting-edge connected safety equipment to help protect spectators, athletes and event personnel, as up to one million people attended FIFA World Cup matches and celebrations in Miami.

Blackline Safety provided the technology. In order to continuously keep an eye out for possible dangers, eight of Blackline's linked EXO area monitors were strategically positioned across the stadium.

“These are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and being asked to protect such a large event is incredible,” said Marcel Berube, who is hazmat, logistics and training lieutenant for the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department. “You’re there in case anything happens, and you have a product that’s going to assist you to help everybody if needed."

Of the eight devices used, were G7 EXOs, the forerunner of EXO 8 and four are EXO 8 area monitors, which can detect up to eight gasses in addition to gamma radiation. The monitors provided real-time readings via a cellular network to Blackline Live software, which served as the fire crew's central command platform and provided them with the immediate information they would need to act quickly if necessary. 

“Every day, our technology helps protect workers in some of the world's most demanding environments,” said Cody Slater, CEO, Blackline Safety. “At events like the World Cup, or the Winter Olympics in Italy earlier this year, that same mission extends beyond the worksite to help emergency responders protect the hundreds of thousands of people who have gathered to experience something unforgettable."

The increasing importance of connected safety technologies in the security of public events is reflected in this deployment. Cloud-connected monitoring systems, which offer increased visibility, quicker communication and better coordination during planned events and emergency response operations, are becoming more and more popular among fire departments and emergency management organizations.

The Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), a coordinated collection of law enforcement, the FBI and other agencies, were even informed by Berube and his team using the information from Blackline's platform.

Throughout the design and deployment process, Blackline Safety collaborated closely with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to configure the system, assist with implementation and make sure the technology was functioning before fans arrived.

“Every experience I’ve had with Blackline has been great,” Berube said. “The support is excellent. If you have a question, they run you through it without a problem, and everyone is very helpful. Every time I've had an issue, problem, question, they've been very supportive.”