Smart Firefighting
Smart Firefighting Podcast covers real-world deployments of smart technologies through conversations with technologists, innovators, companies, and forward-thinking public safety and government agencies. Learn from interviews with leaders as they share their insights and offer their expertise every week!
Host Kevin Sofen is a co-founding member of the Smart First Responder Community who loves to explore change management and technology in public safety.
Episodes

Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
How can technology save lives?
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!
Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the FRST Challenge competition is designed to pinpoint 3D tracking technologies that provide one-meter accuracy for first responders in indoor environments, crucial for enhancing their safety during rescue operations.
The 6 finalist teams competed in localization and ruggedization tests at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center from October 23-27, 2023. Winning teams gain access to funding, business support, and live field testing opportunities to evolve their solutions for real-world application.
In this episode:
Ari’s journey from paramedic to innovator at the Crisis Technologies Innovation Lab
Understand how CTIL is accelerating the adoption of life-saving technologies in healthcare and crisis management
Discover the impact of interdisciplinary collaboration in solving societal challenges through tech innovation
Find out from Ari Rosen - Research Associate at Indiana University's Crisis Technologies Innovation Lab (CTIL).
Ari has been working on AI, advanced radio technology, and prototyping projects for CTIL. His diverse background includes healthcare and public safety roles, such as Paramedic and Risk Management professional, along with humanitarian work and teaching.
So click play now to hear what he has to share, and stay tuned for the rest of our mini series!
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Thursday Jan 04, 2024
Thursday Jan 04, 2024
A peep into a robotics revolution:
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!
Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the FRST Challenge competition is designed to pinpoint 3D tracking technologies that provide one-meter accuracy for first responders in indoor environments, crucial for enhancing their safety during rescue operations.
The 6 finalist teams competed in localization and ruggedization tests at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center from October 23-27, 2023. Winning teams gain access to funding, business support, and live field testing opportunities to evolve their solutions for real-world application.
In this episode:
Insight into TurnRock Labs' innovative approach to harmonizing human skills with robot learning
Learn about the ethical, people-focused ethos driving TurnRock’s cutting-edge technology
Explore the potential of TurnRock’s product development in revolutionizing robotics, automation, and cyber-security
Get the scoop from Brenan Lundquist - the Founder and Managing Partner of TurnRock Labs.
TurnRock's team is made up of engineers and technologists who are striving to build the future of robotics and automation.
Their innovative control systems and robotics platforms provide greater resilience, safety, and mission capability for teams of robots. TurnRock provides product development & engineering services and help their customers find and secure government contracting opportunities through SBIR and other R&D programs.
So click play now to hear what he has to share, and stay tuned for the rest of our mini series!
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Thursday Dec 28, 2023
Thursday Dec 28, 2023
What are immersive analytics?
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!
Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the FRST Challenge competition is designed to pinpoint 3D tracking technologies that provide one-meter accuracy for first responders in indoor environments, crucial for enhancing their safety during rescue operations.
The 6 finalist teams competed in localization and ruggedization tests at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center from October 23-27, 2023. Winning teams gain access to funding, business support, and live field testing opportunities to evolve their solutions for real-world application.
In this episode:
How immersive analytics can transform public safety and emergency response visibility
The challenges and solutions of small cell backhaul visualization in the 5G era
The multi-dimensional impact of immersive technology on cyber-security and telecom
Hear from Jad Meouchy - the co-founder and CTO of BadVR.
Programming since childhood, Jad has vast experience in reverse engineering, data analytics, and all things mobile. He was the technical co-founder of Osurv, a next-generation customer feedback platform with an innovative mobile-first perspective, which sold in 2017.
BadVR is a next-generation immersive (VR/AR) data visualization and analytics platform. They give everyone at an organization the ability to “step inside their data” to discover actionable insights, faster.
So click play now to hear what he has to share, and stay tuned for the rest of our mini series!
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
The best way to train 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!
Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the FRST Challenge competition is designed to pinpoint 3D tracking technologies that provide one-meter accuracy for first responders in indoor environments, crucial for enhancing their safety during rescue operations.
The 6 finalist teams competed in localization and ruggedization tests at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center from October 23-27, 2023. Winning teams gain access to funding, business support, and live field testing opportunities to evolve their solutions for real-world application.
In this episode:
Explore Ravenswood's breakthroughs in Time-Space-Position-Information (TSPI) for ultra-realistic training scenarios
Discover how a multi-layer TDMA network can support tens of thousands of live entities for comprehensive simulations
Learn about the synergy of open-architecture systems and modular software in enhancing first responder capabilities
Hear from Andrew Power - the Production Manager at Ravenswood Solutions.
Andrew manages Ravenswood's Production and Training as a Service programs, including proposals, project management, personnel management, regulatory compliance, delivery and sustainment of products.
So click play now to hear what he has to share, and stay tuned for the rest of our mini series!
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Thursday Dec 14, 2023
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
How should law enforcement integrate new technologies?
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!
Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the FRST Challenge competition is designed to pinpoint 3D tracking technologies that provide one-meter accuracy for first responders in indoor environments, crucial for enhancing their safety during rescue operations.
The 6 finalist teams competed in localization and ruggedization tests at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center from October 23-27, 2023. Winning teams gain access to funding, business support, and live field testing opportunities to evolve their solutions for real-world application.
In this episode:
How technology must further adapt to support law enforcement needs
The importance of including law enforcement in the conversation on indoor localization tech
Strategies for entrepreneurs to integrate new technology into public safety
So click play now to hear what Officer John Newcomer of the Ellettsville Police Department has to share, and stay tuned for the rest of our mini series!
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
How can you use your smartphone as a safety tool?
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!
Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the FRST Challenge competition is designed to pinpoint 3D tracking technologies that provide one-meter accuracy for first responders in indoor environments, crucial for enhancing their safety during rescue operations.
The 6 finalist teams competed in localization and ruggedization tests at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center from October 23-27, 2023. Winning teams gain access to funding, business support, and live field testing opportunities to evolve their solutions for real-world application.
In this episode:
The importance of privacy-protected location intelligence for worker safety
Discover wearable tech solutions that offer safety for first responders and industry workers
Learn how Epic Blue’s Guardian app is transforming smartphones into advanced safety tools
Hear from Michael IIsbroux - the Co-founder and CEO of Epic Blue.
Epic Blue is a Belgian software company specialized in inertial navigation technology for people in GPS-denied environments.
With Guardian, they launched the most advanced Lone Worker Safety application for localization, alerting and critical communication. Powered by their award-winning indoor positioning technology, Guardian is a trusted solution by industry leaders and first responders all over the world.
So click play now to hear what he has to share, and stay tuned for the rest of our mini series!
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Why does hands-on tech experience matter?
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!
Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the FRST Challenge competition is designed to pinpoint 3D tracking technologies that provide one-meter accuracy for first responders in indoor environments, crucial for enhancing their safety during rescue operations.
The 6 finalist teams competed in localization and ruggedization tests at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center from October 23-27, 2023. Winning teams gain access to funding, business support, and live field testing opportunities to evolve their solutions for real-world application.
In this episode:
Understand the significance of the immediate feedback loop for innovation
Learn how collaboration and integration are key to advancing technological solutions in emergencies
The importance of technology trial and adoption in critical scenarios.
Find out from Tammy McLean, the CEO of TechXEvents.
Backed by extensive experience and education in the marketing and events industries, Tammy launched TechXEvents to host and support custom public sector event and trade show projects.
TechXEvents specifically places innovative technology in first-responders hands in real-life and virtual emergency scenarios, plus provides end-to-end event management and marketing services for those projects.
So click play now to hear what she has to share, and stay tuned for the rest of our mini series!
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Thursday Nov 30, 2023
Thursday Nov 30, 2023
What is the value of AR 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!
Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the FRST Challenge competition is designed to pinpoint 3D tracking technologies that provide one-meter accuracy for first responders in indoor environments, crucial for enhancing their safety during rescue operations.
The 6 finalist teams competed in localization and ruggedization tests at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center from October 23-27, 2023. Winning teams gain access to funding, business support, and live field testing opportunities to evolve their solutions for real-world application.
In this episode:
How is ARCortex using augmented reality to provide real-time support on the fire scene?
What does the evolution of tech mean for tomorrow's firefighters?
Explore ARCortex’s unique expertise in eyewear, AR cloud, and unique value for the emergency services sector
Hear from Yohan Baillot, the CEO and Founder of ARCortex.
As a pioneer for more than two decades in the field of Augmented Reality (AR), Yohan started his AR focused career working with the US Navy (BARS Program) and Army developing early prototypes.
He leveraged this experience and started ARCortex, a consulting practice focused on AR, which, over last 7 years, has supported various eyewears companies, AR startups, and enterprise clients.
So click play now to hear what he has to share, and stay tuned for the rest of our mini series!
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Why actually listen to 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!
Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the FRST Challenge competition is designed to pinpoint 3D tracking technologies that provide one-meter accuracy for first responders in indoor environments, crucial for enhancing their safety during rescue operations.
The 6 finalist teams competed in localization and ruggedization tests at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center from October 23-27, 2023. Winning teams gain access to funding, business support, and live field testing opportunities to evolve their solutions for real-world application.
In this episode:
How does the Columbus Fire Department integrate new tech with traditional firefighting values?
Examples of frontline scenarios that test the limits of indoor localization technologies
How can entrepreneurs best serve first responders?
So click play now to hear what Columbus Fire Department's Lieutenant Bryan Bailey has to share, and stay tuned for the rest of our mini series!
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Thursday Nov 16, 2023
Thursday Nov 16, 2023
A peek inside FirstNet Authority:
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!
Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the FRST Challenge competition is designed to pinpoint 3D tracking technologies that provide one-meter accuracy for first responders in indoor environments, crucial for enhancing their safety during rescue operations.
The 6 finalist teams competed in localization and ruggedization tests at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center from October 23-27, 2023. Winning teams gain access to funding, business support, and live field testing opportunities to evolve their solutions for real-world application.
In this episode:
How is FirstNet addressing the critical operational needs of first responders post-deployment?
What are the challenges and solutions in creating networks tailored for emergency services?
A look inside FirstNet’s journey and its ongoing mission to support public safety
Get the scoop from Gary McCarraher - one of FirstNet Authority's Senior Public Safety Advisor for the Fire Service.
The FirstNet Authority advances public safety communications tools and innovations. Through a combination of government, commercial, and public safety partnerships, they work to deliver a public safety broadband network and to support an ecosystem of apps, devices, and capabilities that are innovative, reliable, accessible, and secure.
So click play now to hear what he has to share, and stay tuned for the rest of our mini series!
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn






