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.
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Episodes
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
How can we make sure new innovations are sustainable?
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!
This is the ninth episode of our Interschutz 2022 Mini Series. Interschutz 2022 was an international trade show hosted over six days and included exhibitions plus engaging forums covering the various aspects of firefighting, rescue services, civil protection and safety and security.
In this episode:
- What does the move towards electrification look like for first responders?
- How can we use constraints for breakthrough innovations?
- What’s the difference between Interschutz 2015 and Interschutz 2022?
Back in Germany, SFF spoke with Vic Naidu who is the Senior Business Development Manager and Program Director for T & K Commerce. T & K offers customized, speciality, turnkey engineering solutions for Special Purpose Vehicles. Their mission is to provide an innovative and effective range of applications - from problem statement to concept idea formation, from prototype build to fleet production - and become the region's leading provider for the speciality industries.
This episode of Smart Firefighting is Brought to you W.S. Darley. Darley supports first responders and military with best in class fire pumps, first responder equipment (like Virtual Reality and drones) and a wide array of defense solutions, to learn more visit Darley.com.
Join our SFF Community!
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 Oct 11, 2022
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
"Technology" and "change" do not need to be dirty words 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!
This is the eighth episode of our Interschutz 2022 Mini Series. Interschutz 2022 was an international trade show hosted over six days and included exhibitions plus engaging forums covering the various aspects of firefighting, rescue services, civil protection and safety and security.
In this episode:
- How can virtual reality (VR) improve recruitment and retention?
- How can VR be a tool that supports mental health?
- How does immersive learning offer additional sets and reps?
SFF learned how technology companies are getting creative from Evan Wing who has a background in banking and executive management, currently serves as a Lieutenant on the Middleton Fire District (WI) - the largest volunteer district in the state - and is the VP of Sales for the Western Hemisphere at FLAIM Systems.
FLAIM is an Australian based company that uses virtual reality (VR) to recreate low-frequency, high-risk scenarios to compliment live-fire training, while providing situational awareness training for Chief Level and Company Officers. Through their fully immersive VR learning solutions for training in hazardous and emergency situations, first responders can more easily learn how to fight fires in safe, realistic, dynamic virtual environments.
This episode of Smart Firefighting is brought to you by FLAIM Systems.
Join our SFF Community!
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 Oct 06, 2022
Thursday Oct 06, 2022
How can you build a solution around the problem instead of trying to play the matching game?
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 TEEX Testing and Innovation Center (TT & IC)?
- Why is it important to get 3rd party validation?
- How can we work with stakeholders to transfer technology into public safety and DOD markets?
Jason Moats, Ph.D. is the Director for the TEEX Testing and Innovation Center (TT&IC). In this position, Dr. Moats oversees technical services to assist and guide technology developers as they develop and refine technologies for the public safety, workplace safety, and homeland security ecosystems. The TT&IC also collaborates with researchers and scientists to develop technical solutions for the unique challenges of these same ecosystems by managing, coordinating, and consulting on research, training and education efforts, and technology transfer projects. Dr. Moats’ research interests include disaster response and management, technology transfer, technology adoption, human resource development, and the development of expertise in the future workforce.
This episode of Smart Firefighting is brought to you by FLAIM Systems. FLAIM offers fully immersive VR learning solutions for training in hazardous and emergency situations, allowing first responders to learn how to fight fires in safe, realistic, dynamic virtual environments.
Join our SFF Community!
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 Oct 04, 2022
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
Get the inside scoop on the Department of Homeland Security's recently-released Project Responder 6 (PR6)...
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!
This is the seventh episode of our Interschutz 2022 Mini Series. Interschutz 2022 was an international trade show hosted over six days and included exhibitions plus engaging forums covering the various aspects of firefighting, rescue services, civil protection and safety and security.
In this episode:
- What is the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate for First Responders?
- How does DHS S & T identify capability gaps and unite various stakeholders?
- How can small businesses bring technology into the field?
Paul McDonagh is the First Responder Disaster Resiliency Portfolio Manager for the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate. He oversees DHS engagement and support to Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Law Enforcement, Emergency Managers, Public Safety Communications, and Render Safe Operations (RedOps – Bomb Squads). Responder engagement is accomplished through the First Responder Resource Group (FRRG) where responders provide information on capability needs facing the responder community, and DHS documents these gaps for consideration.
Paul is a former member of the FRRG, served 38+ years with the Seattle Police Department (SPD), and is a former Assistant Chief of the SPD’s Homeland Security Bureau where he oversaw large-scale incident and event planning & management. He was part of Seattle’s Homeland Security Grants Working Group, Seattle UASI Working Group, and oversaw SPD’s Homeland Security Grants projects. Paul is a former instructor for the FEMA All Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) providing training across the country, and has supported incidents and events outside of Seattle. As an SPD employee, he worked as a Patrol Officer, Special Weapons and Tactics member & Team Leader, a Precinct Commander, and Commander of the Violent Crimes, and Criminal Intelligence Section.
Episode Resources:
- DHS S&T Demos First Responder Innovations at Interschutz 2022
- National Information Exchange Model
- Silicon Valley Innovation Program
This episode of Smart Firefighting is brought to you by FLAIM Systems. FLAIM offers fully immersive VR learning solutions for training in hazardous and emergency situations, allowing first responders to learn how to fight fires in safe, realistic, dynamic virtual environments.
Join our SFF Community!
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 Sep 27, 2022
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Did you know that IAFC has a new conference?
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 Technology Summit International from IAFC?
- Why all public safety innovators should attend
- How can you get involved with the technology council?
SFF got to hear from Fire Chiefs Dan Munsey and Jeff Dulin about International Association of Fire Chiefs' upcoming conference: Technology Summit International (TSI)...
Chief Munsey began his career in Yucca Valley as a paid-call firefighter and pursued a career as a full-time firefighter shortly after. In 1998, Munsey joined San Bernardino County Fire Department as a full-time firefighter/paramedic and became chief in November 2019. He's enjoyed a diverse career including executive leadership and management experiences in both the rural and metropolitan fire service communities. Chief Munsey believes strongly in being active and involved in community service, ensuring department diversity, hiring from our communities, and working in collaboration with other agencies to ensure public safety.
Jeff Dulin is a retired Deputy Chief from the Charlotte Fire Department after 32 years where he served as a Deputy Chief for 14 years over the Communications, Training, EM/Homeland Security and Special Operations Divisions. Jeff has spoken nationally and internationally on disaster and homeland security and emergency management issues, and has served as the Deputy Operations Chief of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
Jeff currently serves on 3 federal committees overseeing national standards for homeland security, emergency management and active shooter events, and has deployed to 9 federal disasters serving as a member of incident management teams. He is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School with a masters in homeland defense and national security. Jeff retired from the Charlotte Fire Department in 2015 and became the Assistant Director of the Research and Data Analysis Center for the International Association of Fire Chiefs. In this role, Jeff oversees all research projects and firefighter health and safety initiatives.
Jeff has been very active in the GIS arena developing one of the first ArcGIS viewers for the Charlotte UASI region in 2008 and has now developed the IAFC’s national GIS viewer a national platform for sharing GIS data to fire departments for planning and situational awareness. Jeff oversees the National Mutual Aid System which is developing the next generation of mutual aid that uses Esri ArcGIS Online for geospatial visualization of resource data.
Connect with Chief Munsey: LinkedIn
Connect with Chief Dulin: LinkedIn
Join our SFF Community!
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
Friday Sep 09, 2022
Friday Sep 09, 2022
Your wins are your team's wins, so you should build a strong team around you and never forget to have fun!
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!
This is the sixth episode of our Interschutz 2022 Mini Series. Interschutz 2022 was an international trade show hosted over six days and included exhibitions plus engaging forums covering the various aspects of firefighting, rescue services, civil protection and safety and security.
In this episode:
- How is curiosity a winning business strategy?
- Why assuming prevents you from listening to your customers' pain points
- How to use mistakes as a learning opportunity to improve and advance
Experienced Chief Business Officer Mohanned Awad chatted with SFF about his strong sales and product development (plus biochemical engineering!) background, and why innovation should be driven by necessity. With a demonstrated history of working in the fire protection and firefighting, water treatment, and environmental services industries, Mohanned is skilled in negotiation, budgeting, sales, and management.
He's been with Concorde-Corodex Group for over 18 years, starting off as Business Development Manager and working his way up to his current position. Concorde-Corodex Group is one of the Middle East region’s pioneering providers of fire protection, water purification, wastewater treatment and environmental services. Established in 1974, the company has evolved to become a group of 22 individual companies offering a diverse portfolio of products and services such as, water treatment services, marine and industrial chemical cleaning, and firefighting equipment.
Connect with Concorde-Corodex Group: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter
Join our SFF Community!
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 Aug 23, 2022
Tuesday Aug 23, 2022
How can technological innovations embrace the voice of the customer - or in this case, of 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!
This is the fifth episode of our Interschutz 2022 Mini Series. Interschutz 2022 was an international trade show hosted over six days and included exhibitions plus engaging forums covering the various aspects of firefighting, rescue services, civil protection and safety and security.
In this episode:
- What is FLIR and how do they study firefighters' use of tech before spending resources?
- Why is it important to translate customer desires into product development?
- How can innovations be built with more purpose and, therefore, value?
Who better to learn about the behind-the-scenes of FLIR other than the Director for Strategic Business Development Peter Dekkers?
Peter specializes in business intelligence and "embracing the voice of the customer" through strategically exploring new markets, solutions, channels, and customers. Within FLIR, his focus is on thermal imaging for first responders, UAS, and outdoor & automotive. FLIR Systems, Inc. is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of thermal imaging and stabilized camera systems for a wide variety of thermography and imaging applications.
Within the Instruments segment, Peter drives the strategic and tactical development of the Emerging segment from a global perspective. This includes defining target customers / applications, offerings, and the positioning of FLIR. He also leads the development of capabilities required to deliver on strategy, including internal capability development as well as alliances and M&A activities. He serves as the liaison with regional directors to develop market plans and tactics for each region, and is responsible for the Fire Fighting vertical and UAS vertical in the FLIR Systems Instruments division.
Connect with FLIR: LinkedIn
Join our SFF Community!
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 Aug 16, 2022
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Hear from THE voice of women 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!
This is the fourth episode of our Interschutz 2022 Mini Series. Interschutz 2022 was an international trade show hosted over six days and included exhibitions plus engaging forums covering the various aspects of firefighting, rescue services, civil protection and safety and security.
In this episode:
- How can females thrive in the fire service?
- What is recruitment and inclusion like in the fire service?
- How does Women in Fire provide access to education on things ranging from promotion to pregnancy?
Amy Hanifan is the Operations Chief with McMinnville Fire Department in McMinnville, Oregon and has been with the department since 2001. Having served in the fire service for over 20 years, she started as a volunteer and has held the ranks of firefighter/paramedic, field training officer, and company officer. She earned her B.S. in Fire Administration through Eastern Oregon University.
Amy is also the current president for Women in Fire and has been on the board since 2013. Women in Fire is an interactive non-profit network that provides education, support and advocacy for fire service women. Registration for the Women in Fire 2022 International Conference is now open, and is hosted in Orlando, Florida on September 21-24. Check out the event website for information on the classes, instructors, and networking events.
Connect with Women in Fire: Twitter | Instagram
Join our SFF Community!
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
Monday Aug 08, 2022
Monday Aug 08, 2022
Here's the inside scoop on the ingenious product that safely handles electrical risks from solar panels during a fire...
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!
This is the third episode of our Interschutz 2022 Mini Series. Interschutz 2022 was an international trade show hosted over six days and included exhibitions plus engaging forums covering the various aspects of firefighting, rescue services, civil protection and safety and security.
In this episode:
- How can we manage the constant changes for batteries and solar panels in our daily lives?
- How can an existing extinguisher delivery system increase solar panels safety?
- What are the unintended risks associated with these technologies?
Jim Foran is co-founder and CEO of PVStop International Pty Ltd, a company that is pioneering renewable energy and new technology safety. His responsibilities cover setting the tone of the organization and the team, establishing goals, innovating, motivating and building trust with all stakeholders to ensure the company achieves its corporate objectives.
PVSTOP is the only global solution that safely isolates the power produced by solar panels. PVSTOP eliminates the risk of high voltage DC electrocution by acting as a “liquid tarpaulin” shutting down the solar PV system in seconds. This problem poses a significant safety risk recognized by fire and emergency services agencies around the world. In professional terms, this risk is known as the “DC Danger Zone” and, up until now, there has been no practical solution to this globally recognized problem.
PVSTOP was the inaugural winner of the Fire Protection Industry Awards for Innovative Product and Technology in Australia and a finalist in both the UK Fire & Emergency Awards and the SafeWork NSW Awards.
Beyond PVSTOP, Jim has over 20 years’ experience in senior sales, marketing and operational roles with some of the world’s largest brands, lectured on renewable energy safety in 16 countries and holds qualifications in both business and fire engineering. Jim is passionate about renewable energy and improving firefighter safety.
Connect with PVSTOP: LinkedIn | Facebook
Join our SFF Community!
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 Jul 27, 2022
Wednesday Jul 27, 2022
Why hasn't more research looked at threats from the first responder's point of view?
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!
This is the second episode of our Interschutz 2022 Mini Series. Interschutz 2022 was an international trade show hosted over six days and included exhibitions plus engaging forums covering the various aspects of firefighting, rescue services, civil protection and safety and security.
In this episode:
- What are the evolving threats that first responders encounter?
- Why is it essential to research the risks before introducing a solution?
- How can we evaluate the veracity of the data to avoid cyber threats?
SFF got to chat with Dan Cotter, the Executive Director of the Office of Science and Engineering (OSE) in the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). His responsibilities include overseeing seven technology centers, research requirements, development, standards, systems engineering, test and evaluation, technology scouting and transition planning, plus supporting DHS research and acquisition programs.
His prior experience includes roles as the DHS Chief Technology Officer, Geospatial Management Officer, and as Senior Technical Advisor at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Dan has a background in applying emerging technologies to address a wide range of scientific, engineering and technical challenges faced by the National Flood Insurance Program and disaster mitigation, and response and recovery. He also has over a decade of leadership experience in the private sector.
Dan's career has been dedicated to developing affordable solutions for first responders by working with the international first responder community to define common capability gaps and to collaborate on R&D that would make first responders worldwide safer, more effective, and more efficient at their jobs. At the trade show, Dan and his team demonstrated new testbed technologies, including smart building sensors for detecting fire ignition and environmental threats in large venues.
Connect with DHS: LinkedIn
Episode Resources:
- Executive Gov Article: DHS S&T Demos First Responder Innovations at Interschutz 2022
- National Information Exchange Model (NIEM.gov)
Join our SFF Community!
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