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 Dec 11, 2025
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
Ever picked up a piece of gear and wondered if you could trust it?
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, Scannable founder Rob Stirling shares how a simple idea grew into a powerful tool that helps firefighters and other responders manage mission critical gear with confidence. Rob explains how his background in climbing and equipment manufacturing opened his eyes to the risks, the paperwork, and the constant stress that crews face when they try to track inspections, lifespans, recalls, and usage.
He walks through the shift from spreadsheets to digital identities, the partnership with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and the importance of connecting equipment owners with the data they need in the field. Rob also opens up about leadership, family, and the personal growth required to build a company that keeps responders safe. At the heart of it all is a simple goal: give people a clear way to trust the gear that protects their lives.
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 Dec 04, 2025
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
What protects firefighters when everything changes in an instant?
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.
Rapid intervention teams save firefighters when an emergency unfolds inside another emergency. Steven Kaiser from Fire Rescue Victoria explains how Australia is developing a stronger national approach to RIT and how research from the American fire service is shaping that work.
He shares practical insight on thermal imaging, accountability tools, and emerging technology that helps crews make safer decisions. Steven also reflects on the importance of constant learning and why firefighters benefit from adding new knowledge every day.
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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Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
How do you stay honest about risk when the world around you is changing faster than the systems meant to protect it?
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.
Greg Mullins has lived every part of the fire service, from teenage volunteer to Commissioner of Fire and Rescue in New South Wales. With more than fifty years of experience across Australia and around the world, he reflects on the moment he realized fire behavior was changing in ways that no longer aligned with the patterns the profession once relied on.
He shares how Black Summer sharpened his concern about political inaction, why public trust in firefighters still matters, and how his work with Emergency Leaders for Climate Action grew from a simple belief that truth and safety must come before comfort.
Greg also explains why collaboration between fire engineers and frontline responders strengthens community protection, how education opened unexpected doors in his own career, and why optimism remains essential in high risk work. His perspective is steady, candid, and grounded in decades of service to communities on their hardest days.
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 Nov 21, 2025
Friday Nov 21, 2025
What does it look like when a fire service treats prevention and response as one mission?
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.
Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell of Fire and Rescue New South Wales joins the Smart Firefighting Podcast to share how prevention and response work best when they move together as one mission. He reflects on how the Institution of Fire Engineers shaped his early understanding of fire behavior and why that connection between engineering knowledge and frontline experience keeps firefighters and communities safer.
Jeremy also talks about lithium ion battery risks, current research efforts, and how cross government collaboration is guiding product standards, safe use education, and recycling practices. He discusses the new organizational strategy through 2030 with an emphasis on strong leadership, capable people, and a deeper focus on community risk reduction.
He closes with 2 simple principles that have guided his career: know your job, and value the power of a single supportive conversation.
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 Nov 13, 2025
Thursday Nov 13, 2025
What does it really mean to build disaster resilience in a changing world?
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.
Australia faces a growing wave of natural disasters, from cyclones and floods to heatwaves and wildfires. In this episode, Andrew Gissing, CEO of Natural Hazards Research Australia, shares how his team is using research, science, and collaboration to strengthen community resilience and reduce disaster risk at every level.
Andrew explores what it means to think decades ahead, using evidence-based approaches to anticipate risk before disaster strikes. He discusses the rise of nature positive disaster reduction, where biodiversity and engineering meet to protect lives and property. From mangrove restoration and cultural burning to beaver-inspired water management, Andrew illustrates how working with nature can create lasting safety and sustainability.
He also dives into assisted relocation, resilience mapping, and why proactive planning beats reactive recovery every time. Andrew’s message is simple yet powerful, reminding us that optimism, courage, and collaboration can help communities thrive through change.
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 Nov 06, 2025
Thursday Nov 06, 2025
How can technology rebuild trust and reduce admin burdens for volunteers in fire and emergency services?
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.
Fireant’s Thomas Mynott joins the Smart Firefighting Podcast to explore how technology, trust, and collaboration are shaping the future of public safety.
Thomas shares how Fireant builds custom software that strengthens communication and efficiency for fire and emergency service organizations. He explains why some agencies are returning to building their own systems, how involving volunteers in design leads to better adoption, and what it takes to make technology truly serve those on the ground.
The conversation covers everything from the promise and pitfalls of software to the rise of “vibe coding” — where field personnel create quick, practical solutions for real-world challenges. Through it all, Thomas emphasizes one word that drives Fireant’s approach and success: trust.
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
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.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
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.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
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.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
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.
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn