Smart Firefighting

What can we learn from the fire service in Mexico? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How can the Mexican and American fire services share knowledge and value with each other? What EMS initiatives in Mexico are reducing costs and improving patient care? What are the top concerns for the fire service, and what can we do about them? Hear from Fernando Palacios - the Chief of Department for the Queretaro Fire Department - and firefighter Gabby Durantes. In this episode, Fernando and Gabby discuss the importance of integrating the Mexican fire service into the American fire service through knowledge sharing, which can foster advancements and positive changes for both. They explore EMS initiatives in Mexico, including bringing doctors to the scene and utilizing real-time video communication to

Here’s how the fire service can embrace AI: Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: The integration of AI in public safety and security organizations Ethical considerations for implementing AI How AI improves response efficiency and outcomes Hear from Humaid AlAli - the Deputy of Fire Affairs with the Ministry of Interior, Civil Defense in the United Arab Emirates. Humaid shares his insights into the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within public safety and security organizations. He discusses how AI technologies, such as smart monitoring alarm systems, are being implemented in fire departments to improve response times and enhance risk assessment.  Humaid also touches on the ethical considerations involved in adopting AI and offers advice to fire service professionals on how to embra

Here’s some best practices to make the most of your technology: Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How to identify gaps and challenges in the fire service What does effective technology adoption require? How is Intterra driving change and creating solutions that address real-world problems?  Hear from Robert Edson - the previous Chief Revenue Officer for Intterra and owner of Acceleration Strategies. Rob talks about Intterra’s efforts to provide a common operating picture by integrating disparate data systems in the fire service. Intterra is focused on improving the lives of first responders and offers a variety of technology solutions, including reporting and analytics tools, to enhance operational efficiency.  One of the key challenges in adopting technology within the fire service is th

An assistant for first responders: Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: A voice-based AI assistant designed to automate repetitive tasks for first responders How does Zenext AI offer a hands-free solution for public safety officers? How do real-time information and location-based services improve efficiency and safety for first responders? Hear from Swarnamouli Majumdar - the Founder and CEO of Zenext AI. Swarnamouli introduces Zenext AI’s voice-based artificial intelligence assistant designed specifically for public safety. The technology offers a hands-free solution for first responders, automating repetitive tasks such as license plate checks, querying databases, and documenting incidents.  Zenext AI is accessible via both mobile and web apps, providing real-time information and location-ba

Hey first responders! These solutions are designed just for you: Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: What is propulsion technology, and how is SpyDar leading the way? How does ​​an enclosed propeller system enhance safety and drone operations? How to collaborate with first responders to design solutions that meet their specific operational needs Hear from Liza Pierce - the Founder & CEO of SpyDar Sensors. Liza talks about SpyDar’s groundbreaking propulsion technology designed for UAVs and their involvement in the NIST program.  SpyDar has developed a propulsion system featuring closed ducted fans, enabling vertical takeoff and swift transitions into forward flight. Compared to traditional quadcopters, SpyDar’s technology offers a higher thrust-to-weight ratio and faster speeds, making it

How can you train and simulate realistic scenarios without any props? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: What’s the role of augmented reality (AR) in emergency response and training? How does AR enhance situational awareness during real-time operations? What potential does AR have in improving emergency response? Find out from Yohan Baillot - the Founder and CEO of ARCortex Inc. Yohan talks about the use of augmented reality (AR) in both emergency response and training environments. He explains how AR superimposes graphics onto the real world, allowing users to simulate or annotate information relevant to their specific location. AR technology offers a cost-effective solution for training, enabling realistic scenarios without the need for physical props.  Yohan also discusses the application

What can you learn from SpatialGIS' use of drones and AI? Find out ↓ Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How drones and AI for rapid damage assessment provide real-time data to first responders How the NIST post-accelerator program can help your company grow and connect with the federal marketplace Why mentorship and community collaboration are keys to success and growth Hear from Kendrick Faison - the President/CEO of SpatialGIS. Kendrick talks about the innovative use of drones and AI machine learning for rapid damage assessment during disasters, providing real-time data to first responders to enhance decision-making. He also shares insights into their work in the national security space, focusing on cloud services and computer vision. Kendrick highlights the benefits of participating in th

What does community risk reduction involve, and how can we do better? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How is community risk reduction (CRR) transforming fire safety? What’s the impact of proactive measures and unified voices in the fire service? What’s the critical role of smart devices, smoke alarms, and data collection in enhancing community safety and reducing fire risks? Hear from Kevin Sehlmeyer - the Director of the Bureau of Fire Services for the State of Michigan. Kevin explores the essential aspects of community risk reduction (CRR) and its critical role in the fire service. He emphasizes the importance of educating the community, installing safety features, and addressing specific risks based on local contexts. He also talks about the significance of engaging stakeholders a

What is an innovation ecosystem, and how can it serve your community? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How to build innovation ecosystems for community value Integrating firefighting wisdom with cutting-edge drone technology How driving advanced air mobility creates value for underserved communities Learn from James Spencer - the Director of the Launchpad Center for Advanced Air Mobility at the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education. James talks about innovation ecosystems and their parallels to natural ecosystems. He explains how these ecosystems aim to create assets, resources, and capital for communities, focusing on jobs, products, services, and new businesses.  James also emphasizes the importance of diversity for a robust innovation economy and the mission of the Lau

How can drones provide aerial intelligence for better decision-making? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: What’s the role of drones in enhancing public safety aviation? What are Skydio's X10 drone’s advanced features for nighttime autonomy and high-resolution aerial intelligence? How does the collaboration between Skydio, Tulsa Fire Department, and Oklahoma State University boost public safety innovation? Hear from Bryan King - the Senior Solutions Engineer for Public Safety at Skydio. Bryan talks about the company's role in public safety aviation and their involvement with the DFR (Drone First Responder) program in Tulsa. He highlights the importance of officer and firefighter safety and how Skydio's drones provide valuable aerial intelligence to help make informed decisions. The conversat

Who is driving drone innovation and what do you need to know? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How does Airwise streamline regulatory compliance and enhance drone operations for first responders? Where is the new hub for drone innovation? How is Oklahoma State University leading the charge in driving drone research and innovation? Find out from Josh O’Leary - the Chief Technology Officer for Airwise Solutions. Airwise provides regulatory compliance for the FAA and integrates data from various sources to offer a common operating picture. They specialize in drone operations for first responders, including accident reconstruction, scene evaluation, and satellite fire detection. Airwise also streamlines the process of filing Special Governmental Interest (SGI) requests with the FAA through a d

What is the Drone First Responder (DFR) Initiative? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: What is the transformative role of drones in public safety at the Tulsa Fire Department? How do drones enhance situational awareness for mental health situations? How are Tusla Fire, academia, and local companies advancing drone technology? Learn from Gabe Graveline - an EMS Officer for the Tulsa Fire Department. Gabe talks about using drones in public safety and the development of the Drone First Responder (DFR) initiative in Tulsa. He highlights the various applications of drones, including pre-incident planning, response to structure fires and search operations, and crisis response for mental health situations. Gabe also emphasizes the importance of collaboration among the Tulsa Fire Department, academ

How can creating communities of practice address common challenges in the fire service industry? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How is The World Fire Congress a platform for global collaboration and knowledge sharing within the fire and rescue services? How did they address terrorism, conflict, and inclusion in the fire service? How are the 2026 roadmap and the upcoming Grenfell Tower fire report driving change and improvement in the industry? Hear from Mark Hardingham - the Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). The⁠ ⁠World Fire Congress⁠⁠ is a global event that addresses common challenges faced by fire and rescue services worldwide. It emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and creating communities of practice to drive positive change. The event serves as a platform f

What solutions did the World Fire Congress talk about? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How does The World Fire Congress facilitate global collaboration and communication among fire service professionals? What to do about recruitment, retention, and the rise of lithium-ion batteries and EV fires Why are young people and compassionate recruitment important in the fire service? Learn from Billy Goldfeder - the Deputy Fire Chief at the Loveland-Symmes (Ohio) Fire Department, Lexipol's Senior Fire Advisor, and member of the Fire Chief / Rescue Editorial Advisory Board. The ⁠World Fire Congress⁠ brings together fire service professionals from around the world to share ideas, best practices, and solutions to common challenges. The event fosters global collaboration and communication, addressing i

What is the World Fire Congress, and how does it benefit firefighters? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How does the World Fire Congress bring nations together to tackle fire prevention and safety issues? What’s the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) mission at the Congress? How do global collaboration and best practices address common fire service challenges? Hear from ⁠Victor Stagnaro⁠ - the CEO of the ⁠National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF)⁠ - and ⁠Gary Krichbaum⁠ - the Managing Director at NFFF. The ⁠World Fire Congress⁠ brings together nations to address fire prevention, challenges, and health and safety issues in the fire service. The National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (NFFF) plays a key role in event coordination, with a mission to honor fallen firefighters a

What is CIVTAK 2024 and why should you go? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: What is the Team Awareness Kit (TAK)? How to adopt TAK for civilian use cases What is CIVTAK 2024? Learn from Ken Rehbehn - the Principal Analyst at Critical Communications Insights LLC. Ken is a data communications expert and industry analyst who is also a volunteer firefighter. He has been tracking the evolution of technology in public safety, particularly in the area of mission-critical communications and situational awareness tools like the Team Awareness Kit (TAK). TAK is a common operating picture platform that delivers geospatially linked information to field users, allowing for collaboration and data interoperability. It is non-proprietary, open source, and can adapt to different communications capabilities

What's the future of AI in the fire service? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How is AI transforming fire service operations? How does AI enhance EMS for better patient care and safety? How can AI act as a virtual assistant for first responders? Hear from Scott Roseberry - the Battalion Chief at Garland Fire Department - and Sai Narain -  the Director of Technology Strategy; State & Local Government at Microsoft. The two talk about the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fire service and public safety. They explain that AI is like a computer brain that can learn, adapt, and assist in decision-making. They discuss various use cases of AI in the fire service, such as improving communications, incident command, and community risk reduction. Scott and Sai also touch on the

What issues are Be The Change Analytics working to solve? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How is Be The Change Analytics reducing wildfire risks and preserving ecosystems? How does rapid response protect first responders and the environment? Why are collaboration and unity the keys to solving societal and environmental challenges? Learn from John Krasowski - the President and Founding Partner of Be The Change Analytics. John highlights the importance of reducing risks for wildfire first responders and preserving ecosystems. He discusses his participation in the XPRIZE competition and the need for innovative wildfire detection methods. John also shares the motivation behind starting Be The Change Analytics, which tackles issues like human trafficking and water quality, emphasizing unity a

How does FirstNet support firefighter wellness? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How is AT&T revolutionizing public safety communications? How does FirstNet offer unmatched priority and preemption for emergency responders? Discover new opportunities within the FirstNet ecosystem for public safety innovations Hear from Ryan Fields-Spack - the Associate Director of Responder Wellness at FirstNet, built with AT&T. Ryan highlights the significance of a dedicated network for public safety. FirstNet ensures uninterrupted communication for police, fire, EMS, and emergency management during large-scale incidents. Ryan also talks about the benefits of FirstNet, including priority and preemption, opportunities for entrepreneurial innovation, and initiatives supporting firefighter wellness. So

How can we decrease the frequency and severity of wildfires? Hello Smart Firefighting Community! Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! In this episode: How American Family Insurance & XPRIZE are joining forces to combat wildfires with cutting-edge tech Protecting homes and ecosystems through innovation and collaboration Investing in startups to create effective wildfire detection and suppression solutions Find out from Stephanie Mueller - the Programs and Partnerships Director for American Family Ventures. American Family Insurance has teamed up with XPRIZE to combat the devastation caused by wildfires. By investing in innovative technologies and supporting startups, they aim to protect homes and reduce wildfire impact. So take a listen to hear about this partnership that connects them with top innovators and researchers to find effective de