How Technology is Transforming Firefighting

8 frontline truths about fire service tech adoption from Kevin Swat on the Smart FireFighting Podcast: 1. New tech won’t save you if it slows you down. If gear isn’t grab-and-go and works out of the box, it won’t last in the field long. Firefighters don’t have time for manuals on the fireground. Tech needs to feel like muscle memory and just work. 2. Drones aren’t cool…they’re critical. During Hurricane Helene, Kevin’s team used a drone to check on a stranded resident. What would’ve taken a 2-hour hike became a 5-minute flight. Those hours saved meant more people reached, and fewer risks taken. 3. Wearables must do more than count steps Kevin clocked a 192 bpm heart rate during rooftop ventilation, which is in the life-threatening zone. Wearable data must alert IC before it’s a mayday. Providing real-time alerts to your incident commanders is a practical example of how wearables can help keep operators safe. 4. "Trial by fire" isn’t a metaphor; it’s policy. “New tech only sticks if it survives live operations.” The Mount Prospect FD committee model means wearables, satellite, and situational awareness tools are vetted by everyone in the department. 5. If it doesn’t play nice with others, it’s out. Tools like SARCOP and TAK enable Kevin’s team to geo-tag damage sites, request excavators or K9 units, and stream updates from the field. But only the team leader had the app. His takeaway? Tools should scale to the entire crew, not be siloed in a single phone. 6. Satellite comms aren’t a backup; they’re now a backbone. When Hurricane Helene wiped out cell service and Wi-Fi, Starlink became their lifeline. From team coordination to Facetiming loved ones back home, Kevin called it a game-changer for both morale and mission success. 7. The firefighter’s biggest enemy is poor communication which can be solved with tech When conditions get challenging, crews rely on instinct, radio, and hope. Redundant communication systems and smart wearables with real-time insights on health and position give IC the missing link: where people actually are and how they’re doing. No more relying on hope. 8. “Good.” Kevin lives by the Jocko Willink mantra. If the shift went sideways, if the tech didn’t work, good. Learn from it. Adjust. Try again. That’s not just resilience, it’s how the fire service gets better. Which insight from K Swat hit hardest for you? Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gUF7rPdc Apple: https://lnkd.in/gZCKpK25 #FireTech #ChangeManagement #SmartFirefighting #FirstResponderInnovation #FirefighterSafety #LeadershipInChaos

Transforming Fire Safety with Technology: Insights from U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell The fire service is evolving, and technology is at the center of this transformation. In the latest episode of ICC Region I Radio, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell dives into how AI, data analytics, and innovation are reshaping fire safety. Key takeaways from the conversation: ✅ Modernized data systems: The new National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) replaces outdated NFIRS, providing real-time insights to make smarter decisions. ✅ AI in action: Discover how AI helps identify patterns in fire data, improves resource allocation, and enhances response times. ✅ Community risk reduction: Learn how data-driven strategies can help fire departments tailor safety plans to meet the specific needs of their communities. ✅ Tackling lithium-ion battery fires: NERIS provides better tools to track and understand these incidents, ensuring more effective responses. ✅ Wildfire technology: Advanced tools like AI-enabled sensors and augmented reality apps are improving prevention and mitigation efforts. This episode is packed with actionable insights and forward-thinking strategies that every fire safety professional can use. 🎧 Don’t miss out on this important conversation! 👉 Listen on Spotify https://lnkd.in/gcu6wDq7 or Apple Podcasts https://lnkd.in/gKSkRWGK 👉 Watch on YouTube https://lnkd.in/gZ2Pq9dw #FireSafety #AI #CommunityRiskReduction #FirePrevention #TechnologyInFireService

Fire protection has always been a matter of precision, training, and accurate decision-making. Software is becoming an essential part of the equation—helping fire departments, inspectors, and safety professionals streamline operations, improve response times, and ensure compliance. This intersection of software and the fire service isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about saving lives. → Fire departments rely on software for real-time data, mapping, and resource allocation. → Inspectors & fire marshals use digital tools to track compliance, automate reporting, and ensure that life-saving systems function when needed. → Building managers & fire protection professionals leverage tech to monitor alarms, track maintenance, and stay ahead of evolving codes and regulations. One of the most significant changes is the transition from NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System) to NERS (National Emergency Response Information System). This shift in data standards isn’t just a technical change; it’s a big deal for how fire departments track and report critical information to FEMA. And the rise of smart technology is helping fire departments stay ahead. Here are some ways software is fueling big changes: 1. EVs & Lithium-Ion Batteries: Fires caused by electric vehicles or improperly charged lithium-ion batteries are becoming more common. With fire departments needing new tools to respond to these hazards—especially in schools or high-occupancy buildings—being prepared is critical. 2. Fire Incident Reporting Evolution: The shift from NFIRS to NERS means more complex data. Fire departments need software that can easily adapt to these changes and help teams stay efficient, especially when staffing issues arise. 3. Technology for Smarter Response: One of the coolest innovations introduced is interior scanning technology. With a simple iPhone, fire departments can now scan building interiors and have them immediately appear on a 3D response map—saving precious time during a call. No longer do responders need to manually sketch plans or walk around with bulky equipment to gather floor plans. This tool allows for faster, more informed decision-making when responding to emergencies. The fire service has centuries of tradition behind it—but the future depends on how well we integrate technology to enhance safety and effectiveness. Those who resist digital transformation risk falling behind. How do you see technology lighting the way for fire protection in the coming years?

At just 17, Paul Hyman from New York turned his passion for both tech and firefighting into a groundbreaking invention. He developed a compact thermal imaging camera that fits into firefighter gear, allowing rescuers to see through thick smoke and locate people faster in dangerous conditions. The goal was to save lives by improving visibility during emergencies. As a volunteer firefighter himself, Paul understood the risks firsthand. His camera uses infrared heat detection to spot warm objects in dark, smoky environments—similar to night vision but tailored for fire rescue. This small, wearable device gives firefighters an edge when every second counts. Paul also created a sensor for dryer vents that detects overheating lint and releases carbon dioxide before a fire can start. His work has drawn interest from fire departments and tech professionals alike, earning him a full scholarship to Clarkson University, where he’s continuing to develop next-gen fire safety tech. His journey shows how hands-on experience and innovation can spark real-world change.

What if your next firefighter was a robot on four legs? 🤖🔥     In a recent breakthrough from China, emergency response teams have deployed quadruped firefighting robots, agile and intelligent machines designed to navigate disaster zones where humans can't.     This robot is equipped with a water cannon, thermal imaging, and autonomous mobility.      It is trained to combat fires in high-risk environments like chemical plants, tunnels, and collapsed buildings, reducing danger for frontline responders. 👨🚒     💡 Why does this matter?     Reaches places too dangerous or inaccessible for humans    Operates in extreme heat, toxic smoke, and unstable terrain    Enhances efficiency in emergency rescue and disaster relief     🛠️ Built and tested in China, these robots are part of the country's push for AI-powered emergency tech.     The results are already turning heads in public safety circles worldwide.     🌍 The social impact?     Safer working conditions for fire crews.     Faster, smarter emergency response.     Fewer lives lost in industrial and urban disasters.     Excited to see this innovation reach India, where such tech can revolutionize disaster management, especially in crowded cities and hazardous industrial zones.     The future of public safety is not just human. It is human + machine, working together.     #applogiq #firefighting #robotics #emergencyresponse #ai #publicsafety #disastertech #robotdog #smartcities #makeinindia #innovationforgood #techforimpact #makedigitallives 

Firefighting is evolving rapidly. With cutting-edge technology reshaping how we prevent, detect, and combat fires. As a veteran firefighter, I'm excited to share how these innovations are transforming our field. Here's a look at some game-changing technologies in firefighting today: 1. Drones: Provide real-time aerial views, enhancing situational awareness and safety. 2. AR helmets and biometric monitoring improve firefighter safety and effectiveness. 3. Sensors: Detect heat and smoke early, enabling rapid response and prevention. 4. Data Analytics: Predict high-risk areas and can help to optimize resource allocation. But the future holds even more exciting possibilities. Here are my predictions: 1. Autonomous Firefighting Vehicles: Self-driving-flying equipment navigating hazardous conditions. 2. AI-Powered Fire Modeling: Real-time simulations to stay ahead of fire behavior. 3. Firefighting Robots: Working alongside human crews in dangerous situations. 4. AR Training: Hyper-realistic simulations for more effective preparation. 5. Smart systems detecting and extinguishing fires with precision. These technologies have the potential to save countless lives and protect communities like never before. But to realize this potential, we need ongoing investment in research, development, funding, and training. We also need innovative, courageous leaders who are not afraid of risk and will engourge contracting to allow innovation to grow. What innovations are you most excited about in firefighting? How can we ensure these tools reach fire departments worldwide?

Firefighting just got a high-tech upgrade — with drones taking to the skies to battle blazes from above. Some firefighting drones can scan and map fire perimeters up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, sending real-time heat maps and identifying hotspots that human eyes might miss in the smoke and chaos. 🚁🔥 These flying tech heroes aren’t here to replace the bravery of firefighters — no robot can replicate courage — but they’re making dangerous jobs safer, smarter, and faster. As drones buzz overhead, they become our eyes in the sky, offering a bird’s-eye view that helps teams make split-second decisions that save lives and property. But here’s the twist — as technology steps into roles once filled only by humans, we’re forced to ask: how much of our world do we want to hand over to machines? We live in an era where robots assist in saving lives, but we don’t always have a clear map for what happens next. Are these tools ushering in a new age of collaboration, or a future where human instinct risks being edged out? We’re being swept up in a technological revolution that’s rewriting what’s possible — and sometimes, it’s unclear if the finish line is a utopia of enhanced safety or a world more dependent on machines than we realize. Robots can’t replace heroes, but they can be the ultimate sidekicks. So as drones light up the night sky fighting fires, the bigger question remains: how do we keep humanity at the heart of these life-saving innovations? Let me know your thoughts below⬇️ #vintheuniverse #FirefightingTech #Drones #Innovation #TechForGood #FutureOfSafety #Robotics #AI #EmergingTech #TechTrends #PublicSafety #HumanAndMachine