The fire service has always been defined by courage, but the greatest courage isn't just running into burning buildings—it's having the vision to embrace innovations that make those dangerous missions safer and more effective.
That vision has earned global recognition.
Fast Company has named Qwake's C-THRU platform a winner in their prestigious 2025 World Changing Ideas Awards in the Technology Solutions category, selecting it from over 1,500 global entries based on impact, innovation, and ability to improve society.
But for the fire chiefs and firefighters who have already committed to C-THRU, this award simply confirms what they've experienced firsthand: this technology is transformational.
When innovation becomes essential
The fire service's greatest tradition isn't clinging to outdated methods—it's the relentless pursuit of excellence in protecting lives. Just like the Jaws of Life and SCBA's were once "new" but are now standard, revolutionary tools start as innovations before becoming essential.
The data speaks for itself: C-THRU cuts primary search time in half while providing unprecedented situational awareness in zero-visibility environments. In an era where synthetic materials burn eight times faster than natural ones and urban mega fires threaten entire communities, this isn't just helpful—it's critical.
"The devastating LA fires remind us that we're facing a new era of fire behavior—faster, deadlier, and more destructive than ever before. This Fast Company award recognizes what our Pioneer Program departments already know: C-THRU isn't just innovative technology, it's essential technology for the new challenges facing the fire service," said Sam Cossman, CEO and Founder, Qwake Technologies.
The science behind the recognition
Fast Company's editorial panel evaluated C-THRU against rigorous criteria:
- Impact: Cutting search times in half saves both firefighter and civilian lives
- Innovation: First-of-its-kind AR platform designed specifically for fire service needs
- Scalability: Already deploying across 80+ departments with federal backing
- Sustainability: Reducing exposure risks while improving operational efficiency
- Social Improvement: Protecting those who protect us all
The technology combines edge detection, thermal imaging, and AI-powered navigation in a hands-free helmet-mounted system that provides real-time coordination between firefighters and incident commanders—exactly what's needed as fire behavior becomes more unpredictable and dangerous.
Honoring tradition through innovation
At Qwake, we honor fire service tradition by advancing it. The same spirit that drove firefighters to adopt breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras, and hydraulic rescue tools now drives the adoption of augmented reality for search and rescue.
Every piece of equipment firefighters rely on today was once an innovation that faced skepticism. The difference between equipment that becomes standard and equipment that gets forgotten is simple: does it save lives?
C-THRU saves lives.
What this means for the fire service
This award represents more than recognition for one technology—it's validation for every fire chief who has chosen innovation over inertia, every firefighter who has embraced new tools, and every department that understands excellence requires evolution.
As the industry faces unprecedented challenges—from climate-intensified wildfires to synthetic material fire behavior to recruitment challenges—the departments leading with technology like C-THRU aren't just better equipped for today's emergencies. They're prepared for tomorrow's.
The future of firefighting is here, being built by and for the fire service itself.
About the Award
Fast Company's World Changing Ideas Awards honor products, concepts, companies, and policies designed to make the world safer, cleaner, more sustainable, and more equitable. This year's awards showcase 100 outstanding projects selected by Fast Company editors and reporters from over 1,500 global entries.
About Qwake Technologies
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Qwake Technologies develops the C-THRU augmented reality platform to enhance firefighter safety and operational effectiveness. With 27 original patents and support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Qwake's mission is to revolutionize first response through breakthrough technology that saves lives and protects communities. Learn more at qwake.tech.
