Technology
The technology topic will keep you up to speed on new firefighting technologies, including improved emergency communications, advances in PPE, new fire apparatus and high-tech EMS technologies.
Wellness programs are expanding as dispatch centers race to adopt artificial intelligence, new tech tools and stronger retention models
San Bernardino County fire officials tested a lightweight, battery-powered aircraft that could speed up emergency response in remote areas at a lower cost than helicopters
After an EF-3 tornado struck St. Louis in May 2025, Missouri Task Force 1 deployed advanced drone technology to assist with search and rescue, assess damage, and support real-time decision-making
Picking the correct seating involves factoring safety, staffing and storage; here’s how to do the math
They found they didn’t have the statutory authority to use county funds to buy and donate items to a non-government entity
A nozzle is one component in a water-delivery system; know the system and how each nozzle’s attributes fit into it
Like fire fuel sources, not all firefighting foams are equal; pick the right foam for the right fuel
The app sends alerts via Bluetooth to help drivers get out of the way of emergency vehicles en route to a call
The delivery of 20 jetpacks and two simulators are expected in early 2016, making Dubai the first place to use jetpack technology in the fire service
Developers say the controversial experience showing a World Trade Center worker’s perspective, called “08:46,” is a “tribute to the victims”
The drones might be able to replace manned flights or the use of hotshot firefighting teams in some situations
Officials said the robots are best for structures where conditions are too dangerous to commit firefighters to the interior
Researchers are looking into flexible, high-temperature space materials for personal fire shelters; the project is expected to finish up in 2018
Technology from eDispatches is changing how emergency responders receive dispatch notifications
The unmanned helicopter has high-tech sensors allowing it to fly at night and in smoky conditions too dangerous for manned flights
Violators of the Safe Drone Act would be subject to a fine and not more than a year in prison for someone that operates a drone in a restricted area
Some say the model is outdated and doesn’t account for the turbulent weather created by the fire itself, which includes winds not foreseen in forecasts
Some of the most successful recruiters, both inside and outside the fire service, offer their tips to get more volunteer firefighters in the door
The $3.5M in grants will fund projects involving infrastructure, equipment and technology upgrades
Official: “We’re going into people’s homes, we’re videoing their personal belongings ... all of those things puts the public at risk.”
The technology lifts the stretcher mechanically and locks it in place
A Canadian college and a private company tested an ozone-based sanitization method they say can eliminate nearly all bacteria and fungi from bunker gear
The cutters are lighter and more ergonomic than the previous models
Fire chief: “We added these to help us communicate with the employees the information that is needed for daily operations.”
Dispatchers were attempting to use the city’s system to call in off-duty firefighters and mistakenly sent the call to all 70,000 residents
The funds will help 20 organizations adopt interoperable health IT tools and services
They launched a drone to track the spread of flames in order to concentrate water where it was needed
The flexibility of tablets enhances data collecting functions and is an effective way to keep track of information
While civilian-operated drones pose significant dangers for firefighting operations, the use of drones by the fire service holds many potential benefits
Capt. Gregg Favre said the report lays out what a model policy, or city, state or federal law could look like
It was the fourth time in the last month that a drone disrupted efforts to suppress a California wildfire
Launching an Unmanned Aerial System program is fraught with opportunity and regulations, here’s how to navigate both
The drones have thermal cameras to detect body heat and infrared cameras