FireRescue1 Leadership Institute’s 2026 Spotlight on AI in the fire service examines how artificial intelligence is shaping decision-making across training, operations, incident response and administrative work. Coverage focuses on practical, real-world use — including predictive analytics, dispatch improvements, generative AI applications and the ethical considerations leaders must weigh. Grounded in examples from the field and informed expert insight, this series is designed to support informed, responsible adoption of AI within today’s fire service.
SPOTLIGHT ON AI
Part 2: Research suggests AI is accelerating work, weakening reflection and creating new demands on the people it promised to help
Applying the NIST AI Risk Management Framework can help departments evaluate, deploy and govern emerging AI tools
Leading AI adoption doesn’t require you to be a technologist — it requires you to be a leader
How responsible AI guidance applies to training, decision-making and trust in the fire service
Chiefs Brad Brown and Don Lombardi discuss important considerations for agencies using AI — and how it will never replace an incident commander’s “gut feeling”
From scheduling to training manuals, VBFD firefighters are using AI to cut through admin workload and keep people focused on higher-value work
The department is using AI to evaluate both narrative and structured ePCR data
AI tools are reshaping how fire departments document meetings, forcing new decisions on consent, data control and records management
Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore on recognizing EMS as an essential service with the funding and career pathways to match
LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS
Dr. Sara Jahnke spotlights the importance of translating research into practical tools that fire departments can use
Fairfax County uses a modular training to develop battalion chiefs’ command skills
Fire departments must look beyond local risks and build systems capable of anticipating threats and mobilizing resources nationwide
Preparing to perform before, during and after the call
Firefighters rarely leave because of one bad day — they leave because of the daily leadership experience created by their immediate supervisor
The problem isn’t a lack of policies or commitment to safety — it’s the everyday decisions that determine whether standards are upheld or ignored
Understanding the symbol’s origins can help officers connect centuries-old values to modern leadership challenges
From hairstyles to visible tattoos, departments are revisiting appearance rules while maintaining operational readiness and professionalism
A Colorado fleet manager reflects on career growth, self-doubt and stepping into a new leadership role
About the Sponsor: First Due
Fire and EMS software is broken. As times change, keeping pace with the demands of modern firefighting and emergency response is more important than ever. From preincident planning to response and incident reporting, fire and EMS agencies nationwide struggle to manage day-to-day operations within a single platform. First Due is changing how fire and EMS software works, delivering an end-to-end, cloud-based solution designed to support an entire operation in one place. Learn more about First Due.
First Due became the official platform for the CAL FIRE Incident Reporting System, known as CALFIRS, as the Department’s incident reporting system
First Due earned a spot on the 2026 GovTech 100 for the second consecutive year, recognizing its AI-powered, all-in-one platform supporting fire and EMS operations
The FDNY is now live and submitting fire incidents to NERIS through First Due, while sustaining the operational demands of the largest municipal fire department in the United States
The company’s growth underscores the demand for streamlined public safety operations supported by real-time data
Through AI-powered processes, built-in checklists, guided workflows, and real-time validation, First Due eliminates manual coordination
Marking back-to-back recognition, this year’s honor underscores First Due’s leadership in artificial intelligence for public safety
Ranking No. 492 overall and No. 54 in Software, 2025 marks the company’s fourth consecutive appearance on the list — and its first time in Inc. 500
First Due integrates NextNav’s advanced vertical location and 3D visualization technology into its Incident Command platform
First Due’s new Advanced Data Insights delivers real-time, configurable dashboards across incidents, ePCR, staffing, and more—built for public safety. Agencies get full visibility and meet compliance standards like NFIRS/ NERIS, NEMSQA, and NEMSIS—without technical expertise or third-party tools
First Due launches a new LMS to streamline training, certification tracking and compliance, complete with real-time monitoring and industry-specific content