The fire service stands at a crossroads where tradition meets rapid innovation. As technology advances at an ever-quickening pace, fire departments and their allied industries face the challenge of integrating new tools while honoring the legacy and experience of their members. A recent conversation hosted by Chris Mc Loone of Fire Apparatus and Emergency Equipment spotlighted these issues, featuring David Askew, Secretary and Treasurer of the Fire Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association (FEMSA), and Kevin Sofen, a technology advisor with deep ties to the fire industry.
This dialogue made clear the fire service faces challenges not only from the evolving technological landscape itself but from the culture of cautiousness that protects its legacy and lives. Progress requires balance—honoring traditions and experience while actively fostering curiosity and experimentation with new tools.
Trial programs, “kitchen table” forums, networking, and vendor partnerships anchored in respect and open communication will speed the adoption curve. Meanwhile, smart investment in infrastructures and training ensures firefighters aren’t left exposed as technology reshapes their operational realities.
Adopting an attitude that embraces “maybe” over “no,” recognizing that failure in early trials is part of learning, and always centering on solving tangible problems—reducing risks, improving situational awareness, and saving lives—will define the fire service’s technological future.
This is just the beginning of ongoing conversations spotlighting technology’s role in firefighting prepared by Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment, with more deep dives planned for the coming year.
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