Smart Firefighting

Episode 96: Authentic Storytelling for First Responders with Dillon Corbet

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 7th episode of our IAFC Technology Council Outreach Mini Series!
Ever wanted to tell your story exactly how it is, but couldn't figure out how?
In this episode:
- Why you shouldn't fake your story
- How to engage with first responders where they are
- Tips and tricks to succeed in public safety
SFF heard from marketing guru Dillon Corbet to learn about his authentic marketing practices for the emergency responder community. Director of both Business Operations and Social Media Services for Rogue Monkey Media, Dillon enjoys finding creative solutions for his clients needs that simultaneously boosts their ROI. Rogue Monkey Media prides themselves in - as the name suggests - influencing out-of-the-box marketing methods that stray away from "what has always been done" to encourage new corporate / organizational behaviors. They offer various services from content creation to virtual production, advertising consulting and even video production utilizing drones.
Connect with Dillon: LinkedIn
Episode Resources:
- The Tale of the Rogue Monkey: the story behind Rogue Monkey Media
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

Episode 95: Fotokite’s Tethered Drones Maintain Eyes in the Skies with Nate Bazydlo & Bradford Morse

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 IAFC Technology Council Outreach Mini Series!
Want to learn how to fly with a click of a button?
In this episode:
- How can first responders maintain constant situational awareness while on scene?
- How to avoid the need for a part 107 license
"Built for first responders," Fotokite provides public safety teams with mission-critical situational awareness from elevated perspectives. Their actively tethered UAS (unmanned aerial system) saves team resources by launching, flying and landing with the single push of a button - no piloting necessary. Fotokite is authorized and recognized by aviation authorities as a safer alternative to traditional tethered drone and free-flying public safety drone systems.
SFF spoke with Fotokite's Business Development and Team Logistics Director Nate Bazydlo and their Program Director Bradford Morse to discover exactly how tethered drones work. Nate supports the company's growth through business development and logistical coordination while providing value to team in anyway needed within such a robust start-up culture. Bradford has 20 years of experience providing direction to high performing teams with a proven track record of 7 US patents and 8 products that have delivered lucrative results for Eaton, General Electric and Motorola.
Connect with Nate: LinkedIn
Connect with Bradford: 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

Episode 94: Decentralized Mesh Networks Advance Communication Abilities with Todd York

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 IAFC Technology Council Outreach Mini Series!
What if we could extend coverage to the edge of current networks to provide reliable connectivity for first responders? Well, Hypha is already on it.
In this episode:
- How does wireless innovation increase capabilities in communication denied environments?
- How do decentralized communication nodes ensure connectivity?
- Why are such devices a force multiplier for first responders?
And who better to tell us about decentralized mesh networks than Hypha's Vice President of North American Sales himself Todd York? Todd additionally holds the titles of Director of Sales and Strategy for The Public Safety Network and Senior Account Executive for First Due, proving his expertise and dedication to cultivating and managing networks of organizations that provide adjacent, complementary solutions. Todd's previous success in selling complex, mission-critical technology solutions and services into previously untapped territories and markets in the government, academic and private sectors offered SFF valuable insight into Hypha's future endeavors.
Hypha is a brand of Wireless Innovation Pty Ltd, an Australian owned and based company. Founded in 2015, operations are global with headquarters in Brisbane, Queensland and additional offices in Western Australia and California. Focused on serving the public safety and enterprise sectors, Hypha will be expanding its capabilities globally to deliver a platform of applications and capabilities that allow agencies and organizations to operate more efficiently and safely. Committed to confidentiality and data security and inspired by progress, the company values innovation and the advancement of satellite communication with a focus on design, development and implementation.
Connect with Todd York: 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

Episode 93: Intelligent Nanofiber Cleans It All Up with Erik ’Skip’ Moratzka

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 IAFC Technology Council Outreach Mini Series!
Ever heard of Intelligent Nanofiber Inc?
In this episode:
- How to prevent unnecessary toxic waste from getting into waterways
- Why is the death of 1,000 cuts hurting our environment?
- How does adaptable material support first responder recovery efforts?
The President and COO of Intelligent Nanofiber Inc himself told SFF all about it! Erik 'Skip' Moratzka is an entrepreneur and business owner who focuses on creating value-based solutions via product innovation. Intelligent NanoFiber, an absorbent nano-material capable of capturing and neutralizing toxins and infectious diseases, is produced by INYF and based in College Station, TX. The team is working to bring revolutionary products to the market that address significant societal challenges and is dedicated to adapting their technology for public safety and defense personnel, ensuring those who serve us most have the protection they need.
Connect with Erik: LinkedIn
Episode Resources:
- Intelligent Nanofiber Inc: June 2021 PDF
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

Episode 92: Putting Innovation in the Hands of First Responders with David Blankinship and Brent VanKeulen

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 IAFC Technology Council Outreach Mini Series!
Why do so many technologies make first responders lives harder instead of easier?
In this episode:
- How is Western States Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) evaluating and testing technology?
- Understanding the need for user-driven, practical applications that ease first responders' load
- How to reduce bandaid solutions
SFF got the inside scoop from not just one but two WFCA leaders: Senior Technology Advisor David Blankinship and Deputy Director Brent VanKeulen. Blankinship specializes in data analysis, visualization, modeling and system architecture and is also the co-founded of Intterra, an enterprise working on crucial public safety innovations. VanKeulen's efforts are spent on the other side of things building and executing vision and strategy, a role which his 25+ years of public sector leadership and management prepared him for.
Connect with David Blankinship: LinkedIn
Connect with Brent VanKeulen: 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

Episode 91: Effectively Navigating the Last Mile with 100 Feet with Vibhu Singh

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 our second episode of our IAFC Technology Council Outreach Mini Series!
Ever wonder why the pizza delivery guy can always get to the right door, but first responders can't?
In this episode:
- How can first responders get where they need to go by locating the last 100 feet?
- How to reduce the time taken to support those in need of aid
SFF talked with the Chief Operating Officer of One Hundred Feet Vibhu Singh to learn more about their semantic waypoints to solve the last mile arrival. The company essentially creates data that did not previously exist to offer precise geospatial data for complex points of interest. Their data covers everything from universities to nursing homes to military bases and helps various industries function efficiently such as transportation, public safety and real estate.
Connect with Vibhu: 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

Episode 90: How FirstNet Authority Evolves for First Responders with Michael Varney

Hello Smart Firefighting Community!
Welcome to another episode 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 episode is the first of many for our IAFC Technology Council Outreach Mini Series!
Calling all entrepreneurs! Ever wonder how you can build on First Responder Network (FirstNet) Authority in ways that meet the ever-changing needs of first responders?
In this episode:
- What is FirstNet Authority?
- How to leverage the network to increase operational efficiencies
- How can entrepreneurs utilize new tech to advance innovation for first responders?
And who is better to discuss FirstNet Authority than the Senior Director of Stakeholder Collaboration at FirstNet himself Michael Varney? He joined FirstNet in 2015 after nearly 30 years serving in information technology and public safety communications positions with the State of Connecticut, including as the statewide interoperability coordinator. Prior to his work at FirstNet Authority, he served as the chairman of the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators and as an initial representative on FirstNet Authority’s Public Safety Advisory Committee.
Michael also has a strong public safety background, having served for more than 35 years in the fire and emergency medical services, including 14 years as a fire chief. He participated in numerous statewide and national working groups that worked to address mutual aid and communication issues. In 2007, he was awarded the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year.
Connect with Michael: LinkedIn | Twitter
Episode Resources:
- FirstNet Authority Road Map
- FirstNet is committed to meet the evolving needs of first responders. Reach out and discuss your needs with the FirstNet Fire Team!
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

Episode 89: Innovation in Fire through Simplicity with Jay Johnson

In this episode:
- What is the goal of innovation?
- How can we use the COVID crisis as a force for change?
- How can we innovate on the fire truck?
Guest Jay Johnson is the previous VP / General Manager of REV Technical Center and the current Senior Director for Marketing and Product Management at REV Fire Group, a leading designer and manufacturer of specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services. He is a leader with a proven track record in global business development, strategic alliances, innovation and new product development, research and communications while his specialities focus on sales, business development, product management, product marketing, marketing communications, customer service and after-market.

Episode 88: Data, Location Tracking and A Call-to-Action for All Smart Firefighting Innovators with David Wild, Ph.D.

In this episode:
- Who is the Crisis Technologies Innovation Lab?
- How to leverage your frustration into innovation
- How can we use data more effectively in the fire service?
- A call to action for all innovators
David Wild is a researcher, practitioner, educator and author in data science, biomedical research and crisis technologies. He is Professor in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering (SICE) at Indiana University where he has also founded and directed research initiatives and educational programs. He is co-director of Crisis Technologies Innovations Lab, a collaboration between the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering (SICE) and University Information Technology Services (UITS) to accelerate research and practice on the use of next generation technologies in the front lines of emergency and crisis response, and the director of Integrative Data Science Laboratory. His current research interests include crisis technologies, digital resilience, integrative data science, data privacy, security and ethics and biomedical data science.
Resources:
The Personal Digital Resilience Handbook, by David Wild
The Digital Resilience Show, by David Wild

Episode 87: Jim Pauley CEO of the National Fire Protection Association

Jim Pauley is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Kevin sits down with Jim to discuss the NFPA, where the fire industry is heading, and how technology can keep firefighters safe.