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
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Hydrogen is often called the fuel of the future, but what does it really mean for public safety?
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.
Recorded live at the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) 2025 Conference alongside the AFAC, WAFA, and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience Conference in Perth, Australia.
In this episode, Dr. Paul Medwell from the University of Adelaide shares his insights into hydrogen research, fire safety, and the standards shaping the next generation of energy systems.
From early lessons in combustion science to leading efforts in hydrogen safety, Paul discusses how research and collaboration can help prevent past mistakes while preparing first responders and communities for what comes next. He also explores the delicate balance between innovation and safety, reminding us that progress requires planning, understanding, and respect for the risks we face.
If you work in fire services, emergency management, or energy transition, this conversation offers a grounded look at how hydrogen could become part of our daily lives — safely, thoughtfully, and with the lessons of history in mind.
So take a listen to hear what he has to share.
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.
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Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
How do we turn overwhelming data into meaningful, life-saving action?
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.
Recorded live at the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) 2025 Conference alongside the AFAC, WAFA, and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience Conference in Perth, Australia.
In this episode, Olivia Breed from Kablamo shares how their Firestory platform—built in partnership with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service—is helping emergency agencies move from reaction to readiness. Olivia explains how Fire Story integrates multiple data sources into a single view that helps command centers see what matters most, predict fire spread, and make faster, smarter decisions in critical moments.
She also discusses Kablamo’s approach to risk, data prioritization, and the future of AI partnerships in emergency management. From reducing 000 call center wait times to proactively forecasting resource demand, Olivia shows how technology, collaboration, and curiosity can build safer, more resilient communities.
So take a listen to hear what she has to share.
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.
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Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Wind picks up, embers are flying...what stands between you and loss?
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.
Recorded live at the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) 2025 Conference alongside the AFAC, WAFA, and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience Conference in Perth, Australia.
Chief Tony Marrone of Los Angeles County shares a hard truth from January 2025, when Los Angeles faced four major fires in one day and then eight more over the next two weeks. He walks through what happened on the ground, why ember cast overwhelmed even a large and ready fire service, and how communities can prepare for a future where wind driven wildfire meets dense neighborhoods.
With clarity and humility, Chief Marrone outlines three priorities that save lives and property. Manage fuels and the wildfire environment with the right mix of prescribed fire, mechanical work, and even goats where they make sense. Build and maintain defensible space, especially zone zero within five feet of the home. Harden homes with fire resistive roofs and siding, ember resistant vents, and tempered or double pane windows.
He also explains how technology supports smarter operations, from Alert California cameras and FireGuard satellites to FIRIS, helicopter command platforms, and citizen tools like Watch Duty.
This conversation is grounded in service, loss, and collaboration. It is a candid look at what worked, what did not, and where prevention must lead so a single company is not the last line of defense for every home on a windy night.
So take a listen to hear what he has to share.
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.
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Friday Oct 10, 2025
Friday Oct 10, 2025
What if we could predict the next wildfire before it started?
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.
Recorded live at the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) 2025 Conference alongside the AFAC, WAFA, and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience Conference in Perth, Australia.
This episode features Peter Thompson and Barry Evans from the University of Canterbury. They discuss their groundbreaking “Minority Report” project, which uses future climate modeling to predict extreme weather events and help communities prepare before disaster strikes.
Peter and Barry explain how data-driven simulations of wildfires and floods are transforming how cities like Wellington approach risk, resilience, and emergency planning. From physics-based fire modeling to real-time decision tools for local governments, their work shows how foresight can save lives.
This conversation dives into the human side of climate preparedness: how collaboration, transparency, and smart modeling can guide better decisions for firefighters, councils, and communities living on the front lines of change.
So take a listen to hear what they have to share.
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.
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Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
What are measurable, standardized ways to evaluate training across departments?
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:
How immersive learning can draw from military, medical, and other industries
The need for more collaborative forums between the fire service and technology providers
The powerful opportunities AI presents for safety and communication
Hear from Casey Grant - the Executive Director at DSRAE, LLC and a Senior Consultant for ESRG: Energy Safety Response Group LLC.
Casey reflects on the evolution of immersive learning in the fire service and how frameworks like the Training Summit are shaping the future. He highlights lessons from other industries, the importance of co-developing solutions with technology providers, and the urgent need to adapt to generational shifts in how firefighters learn.
Casey shares how rubrics, simulators, and collaborative forums can bring efficiency, standardization, and measurable outcomes to training across departments of all sizes. He also explores both the promise and the risks of artificial intelligence as it begins to intersect with fire service operations.
So take a listen to hear what he has to share!
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 Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
What are the essential factors for firefighter readiness and retention?
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 are the biggest challenges for recruiting volunteer firefighters?
How to fit local needs better and reduce barriers to entry
How can immersive learning tools empower smaller departments?
Hear from Brittany Hollerbach - an Associate Scientist for NDRI-USA, Inc.
Brittany shares findings from her FEMA- and NFPA-funded research on recruitment and retention in the volunteer fire service. She explains why time commitment, not training requirements alone, is a major challenge for volunteers balancing family, work, and service.
Brittany highlights how immersive learning, modular training, and creative community support can lower barriers and strengthen engagement. The conversation also explores broader health and wellness issues, from preventative approaches to the critical role of sleep in firefighter performance and longevity.
So take a listen to hear what she has to share!
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!
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Thursday Sep 04, 2025
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
How can we strengthen firefighter training without replacing traditional methods?
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 immersive learning’s role should be in firefighter training
How to provide safer, more realistic, and repeatable training experiences
Tips for setting appropriate expectations for different stages of a firefighter’s career
Hear from John Oates - the CEO of the International Public Safety Data Institute (IPSDI).
John shares how immersive learning and simulation can strengthen firefighter training without replacing traditional methods. He emphasizes using technology as an enhancer: bringing training to more places, engaging multiple senses, and improving knowledge transfer through tools like video and simulation.
John also discusses the importance of calibrating expectations for firefighters at different career stages and using rubrics to reduce subjectivity. The conversation closes with his perspective on how artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful tool for sense-making in public safety.
So take a listen to hear what he has to share!
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 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
What is the future of fire service training?
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 must immersive learning focus on for greater impact?
What tools help fire instructors measure performance consistently?
Why there’s a need for stronger collaboration between the fire service, industry, and academia
Hear from Dr. Kate Kapalo - a Course Instructor & Instructional Designer for the U.S. Fire Administration, and a Principal Investigator & Adjunct Professor at the Stevens Institute of Technology.
Kate shares her research and perspective on how immersive technologies like VR and simulation can transform fire service training. She highlights the need for standardized rubrics, national alignment, and stronger collaboration between industry and the fire service to ensure training delivers measurable outcomes.
Kate also emphasizes the importance of situational awareness, communication, and building infrastructure to make immersive learning sustainable. This conversation explores how rigorous research can move from academia into practical, real-world training that prepares firefighters for an all-hazards environment.
So take a listen to hear what she has to share!
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 Aug 27, 2025
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
What are essential elements of the fire academy of the future?
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 should immersive learning focus on?
Measurable ways to evaluate training effectiveness
How to customize firefighter training
Hear from Ken Willette, the Executive Director of the North American Fire Training Directors.
Ken dives into how immersive learning and simulation are reshaping the fire service. He shares the evolution from early grant applications to today’s robust projects, emphasizing that technology must serve the learner, not just the gadget.
Ken explains how tools like rubrics and conformity assessments are giving instructors the ability to measure outcomes, bridge generational gaps, and tailor training to every career stage. This conversation highlights the momentum behind VR, simulators, and immersive learning as essential elements of the fire academy of the future.
So take a listen to hear what he has to share!
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 Aug 21, 2025
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Here’s why technology must fit seamlessly into firefighter operations:
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:
Why simpler technology drives better adoption
Proof that science alone isn’t enough without operational usability
How to push through resistance and set the stage for safer operations
Hear from Paul Couston - the co-founder and CEO of Ascent Integrated Tech.
Paul shares his journey from dropping out of engineering school to building rugged solar generators for the Air Force before launching Ascent. He reflects on the early iterations, lessons from failed prototypes, and the importance of designing technology that is operationally relevant and firefighter-driven.
Paul explains how Ascent pivoted from bulky systems to smartwatches, creating a simple, scalable accountability tool that firefighters and incident commanders can use every day. He also discusses leadership, change adoption, and his vision for TAK and wearable tech to reshape safety in both the fire service and the military.
So take a listen to hear what he has to share!
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