Smart Firefighting

Episode 68: Hickory Fire Department – Pre-incident Command Planning

Kevin sits down with Brian Murray and Mark Scott of The Hickory Fire Department. They discuss how pre-incident planning has changed over the years from 3-ring binders and handwritten notes to modern computer programs that gather and store data. Brian and Mark talk about how user-friendly their programs have been and how invaluable they are to get the job done.
They discuss the need for fire departments to embrace technology and continue to push for better and safer solutions. Brian and Mark imagine pre-incident planning evolving into heads up displays with updating real-time information. The future is bright for technology in the fire industry, and firefighters are ready for it.
The Hickory Fire Department's goal is to prevent fires, save lives and property, and protect the environment. They are always looking for ways to improve their training and planning processes this makes them flexible in bringing on new technologies. The Hickory Fire Department strives toward improvement and listening to the needs of their community, to ensure their department answers the needs of the public throughout the City.

Episode 67: Netage Fire Graph at FRI

At FRI, Kevin had a chance to sit down with Bart van Leeuwen CEO of Netage B.V. In this episode, Kevin and Bart discuss data in the fire industry and using it in real-time. Bart believes that getting the right information to first responders is more important than giving all the information available.
Bart describes the challenge of data management of first responders. The data is available, but getting it to first responders in real-time is the real challenge. Bart talks about focusing on the data needs of first responders instead of just creating an app or program that gives every little bit of information available.
Netage B.V. uses smart data to prevent first responders from getting injured. Their knowledge graph prioritizes incident information from closed and open datasets linked in 20+ databases. Role-based information distribution drives business innovation for fire departments. Fire activity data combined with smart city data is providing fire departments a path into the future. Netage B.V. uses innovative data techniques to provide Smart Data for Smarter Firefighters.

Episode 66: Paladin Drones at FRI

At FRI, Kevin had a chance to sit down with Divy Shrivastava of Paladin Drones. In this episode, Kevin and Divy talk about the need for greater situational awareness for first responders and how Paladin Drones has a solution to answer that need.
70% of the time, first responders do not know an emergency's exact location. On top of that, they know almost no details about the situation until after they've arrived on scene. Paladin Drones built a simple system to give first responders instant situational awareness. Seconds after a 911 call comes in, our software automatically dispatches a drone to the scene of the emergency, and streams a live video feed back to our app. Their software handles everything else in the background: security, safety, weather, video, route planning, and more. This way, you can focus on saving lives.

Episode 65: EMILY Robot at FRI

At FRI, Kevin had a chance to sit down with Paige Day of E.M.I.L.Y Robot. In this episode, Kevin and Paige discuss water rescue and how drones designed to be used in water can save lives without putting first responders at risk.
With much of the talk on Drones, often the water robotics get lost in translation. The EMILY water robot is being deployed across the world and bringing widespread value to people around the world. EMILY offers an interoperable water platform that gives fire responders a unique tool that helps extend life-saving services. EMILY helps with all things hurricane response in the Bahamas, humanitarian assistance in Italy, Swift Water Rescue across the Great Lakes
Find out on this episode of the Smart Firefighting podcast.

Episode 64: Levrum Data Technologies

At FRI, Kevin had a chance to sit down with Douglas Baily of Levrum Data Technologies. In this episode, Kevin and Doug discuss data technology for first responders and how it is collected, stored, and used.
Kevin asks the questions. How can we visualize data and turn it into action? How can first responders make better decisions during an incident? How can decision-makers be better informed on how to use their budget and use data to improve staffing? Find out on this episode of the Smart Firefighting podcast.

Episode 63: Autel Robotics at FRI

At FRI Kevin had a chance to sit down with Jeff Powell of Autel Robotics. In this episode, Kevin and Jeff discuss the drone industry and the benefits Autel offers first responders.
Autel Robotics is a US-headquartered drone manufacturer. They offer a wide range of platforms from fixed-wing, quadcopter, VTOL. They are dedicated to delivering ground-breaking solutions for new aerial exploration through our market-leading quadcopter and camera drone technology.

Episode 62: SkyFire Consulting at FRI

At FRI Kevin had a chance to sit down with Matt Sloan of SkyFire Consulting. They discuss the difference between owning a drone and owning a drone program. They also dive into what SkyFire does to help fire departments take their program to the next level; on this episode of the Smart Firefighting Podcast.
SkyFire Consulting is an organization that trains first responders in drone operation. They work with departments to understand their needs and create a program that will work for them. Departments need to follow FAA rules and regulations when setting up their drone program. Skyfire walks departments through the certification process and training necessary to be safe and effective.

Episode 61: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Kevin sits down with John Tippett of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to talk about the history of the foundation, the 16 firefighter lifesaving initiatives, and innovations changing the fire services.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is an organization whose mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes, to provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives and work within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. The NFFF provides scholarship programs, wellness conferences, remembrance programs and more.
We encourage people to attend the Fire Service Innovation Safety Symposium in Philadelphia on September 24-26. Special discount for all listeners, use the word “SMART” for free entrance to the symposium.

Episode 60: FireHUD Protecting Our Protectors at FRI

At FRI Kevin had a chance to sit down with Brett Skinner and Zach Braun of FireHUD to talk about their biotrac platform. FireHUD uses a passive system that monitors and collects physiological data from its users to track their biometric status. Firefighters exert themselves more than any other profession. Their physical and mental condition is critical to their success. BioTrac Platform collects the data and transfers it in real-time to the commander’s device. The commander can use the data to know the exhaustion level of each member of their team and make better-informed decisions.

Episode 59: Breaking Down Data with FirstNet at FRI

At FRI Kevin had a chance to sit down with Michael Varney of FirstNet. They discuss how data is changing the public safety industry and how FirstNet is helping push this evolution. The mission of FirstNet is to deploy, operate, maintain, and improve the first high-speed, nationwide wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety.