Calgary-based Blackline Safety has won a 2026 Firehouse Innovation Award for its G8 connected safety wearable, marking the company’s second consecutive win for technology supporting firefighters and emergency responders.
The recognition follows last year’s award for Blackline’s EXO 8 area monitor. This year, G8 was selected for its ability to improve situational awareness and support safer decisions during complex incidents.
G8 combines gas detection, lone-worker protection, real-time communication and live field data through Blackline’s cloud-based monitoring platform, Blackline Live. Beyond sounding an alarm locally, the system gives command teams access to live gas readings, alerts and firefighter locations, helping them assess conditions and coordinate a response.
For Travis Rebello, Hazardous Materials Coordinator and Firefighter at the New Bedford Fire Department in Massachusetts, that remote visibility has changed how he supports crews in hazardous environments.
“It’s G8’s remote capability — I now have alerts set to my phone, so when my guys go into an LEL environment or any type of high alarm, I immediately get notified,” Rebello said.
“And I’m on the phone with my dispatcher. What are they into? Do they need assistance? For situational awareness and firefighter safety, this has greatly increased our capability.”
The award builds on momentum for the wearable, which began shipping in March. As Calgary.tech reported in September, Blackline has seen early adoption of G8, with customers showing interest in its built-in push-to-talk communications and geofencing capabilities.
Blackline’s technology is also gaining traction among emergency responders. In April, the company reported 42% growth in its fire and hazardous-materials customer base.
G8 and Blackline Live have additionally earned two 2026 Occupational Health & Safety Industrial Hygiene Awards, in the IoT Connected Devices and Software categories, respectively.
For Rebello, whose two sons are also firefighters, the benefits extend beyond operational efficiency.
“Both of my sons work 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,” he said.
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