The Municipal Review Committee (MRC) announces the installation of a cutting-edge Fire Rover system at the Municipal Waste Solutions (MWS) facility in Hampden, Maine. This significant investment in fire prevention technology reinforces MRC鈥檚 and Innovative Resource Recovery commitment to operational safety, environmental stewardship, and the long-term viability of sustainable waste management in Maine.
Originally developed in 2014 for scrap metal facilities, Fire Rover has since become an industry leader in fire detection and suppression, providing high-risk industries with an advanced first line of defense against catastrophic fire events. The Fire Rover system integrates state-of-the-art technology with human oversight, ensuring rapid response to potential fire hazards before they escalate.
“The safety of our facility, employees, and the surrounding communities is our top priority,” said Michael Carroll, Executive Director of MRC. “By installing Fire Rover at the MWS facility, we are proactively addressing fire risks associated with waste management operations, ensuring uninterrupted service to our member municipalities.”
Fire Rover鈥檚 unique system continuously monitors waste piles on the processing floor for potential fire threats using high-definition thermal imaging and AI-assisted detection. Once a fire risk is identified, the system enables remote human operators to assess the situation in real-time and deploy targeted suppression measures, effectively extinguishing fires before they become incidents.
The addition of Fire Rover at the Hampden facility marks another milestone in MWS鈥檚 ongoing efforts to optimize safety, efficiency, and sustainability in waste management. By leveraging innovative solutions like the Fire Rover, MWS continues to set a high standard for responsible waste processing and environmental protection in Maine.
鈥�The Fire Rover is like having a vigilant guardian watching over the tipping floor 24/7. With the increasing threat of lithium battery fires in our industry, we’re proud to say our partner, Innovative Resource Recovery, will be a regional pioneer in implementing this state-of-the-art protection system at MWS. This investment demonstrates Innovative Resource Recovery鈥檚 commitment to safety and risk management,鈥� add Carroll.
The MWS facility, set to become operational in early 2025, will process approximately 180,000 tons of mixed waste annually from the MRC and other local communities. In addition to other priorities, the facility aims to support the state’s landfill diversion goals by transforming municipal solid waste into valuable resources. The processed waste will yield renewable natural gas (RNG) and recyclable commodities, which will undergo further downstream processing and re-use, thereby reducing landfill use and supporting the production of renewable energy and recyclable materials.