Artificial Intelligence

Fire-Dex, a globally renowned company in PPE for first responders, understands that performance, safety and comfort all start with gear that fits correctly. That's why the company is excited to launch the Virtual Sizer, a first-of-its-kind tool for the fire services that revolutionizes how firefighters get measured for their turnout gear.  Fire-Dex’s Virtual Sizer The Virtual Sizer brings science to sizing using AI-driven algorithms and simple questions Fire-Dex’s Virtual Sizer saves time and ensures firefighters receive gear tailored precisely to their measurements, minimizing safety risks from improper fit, such as exposed skin or restricted movement.  The Virtual Sizer brings science to sizing using AI-driven algorithms and simple questions (like height, weight, and shoe size) to accurately capture measurements in minutes without ever pulling out a tape measure.  Data-driven precision "We’ve already seen more than 6,500 entries," said Todd Herring, VP of Product Innovation and Strategy at Fire-Dex, adding “The response has been incredible. Firefighters are getting gear that fits better, faster." He continues, "We've actually been testing and refining this technology internally for over five years to ensure accuracy before making it widely available. The human touch still matters, but the Virtual Sizer can back it up with data-driven precision to help nail the fit every time."  No Sizing Gear or Measuring Tapes  The formal sizing process involves variations and inconsistencies due to contrasts in judgment The Virtual Sizer has already demonstrated its effectiveness in real-world use. Tested by firefighters from departments across the country, it consistently delivers results comparable to traditional sizing methods.  But the goal isn’t just to match human accuracy — it’s to improve upon it. The traditional sizing process inherently involves variations and inconsistencies due to differences in judgment, measurement techniques, and human error. The Virtual Sizer was designed to eliminate those inconsistencies, which leads to better fitting PPE.  Firefighter-specific data "The technology is backed by over 150 million AI-generated digital twins and validated through extensive firefighter-specific data," said Todd Herring. He adds, "It’s precise, tested and constantly improving with every use — meaning the more firefighters use it, the smarter and more accurate it becomes."  Sizing in Memphis For the City of Memphis Fire Department, the Virtual Sizer proved to be a game-changer for onboarding new recruits, and particularly those coming from out of town. “One of our biggest challenges has been sizing firefighters from out of town, from areas where we’ve built strong recruiting partnerships,” said Keith James, Division Chief of Logistical Services, adding “It can be difficult for them to fly or drive in just for processing and fittings, especially when we’re trying to get gear ordered quickly so it arrives during class.” Virtual Sizer remote recruits Virtual Sizer is a key that saves time, cuts costs, and improves the unit's ability to recruit from the tool The department began using the Virtual Sizer specifically for these remote recruits, enabling accurate sizing without the usual time, travel, and logistical hurdles. As James shared, the experience exceeded expectations. “We tested it first with a few people locally and found the output matched our sizing. That gave us the comfort level to roll it out further,” he explained while noting how the tool was ultimately used to size 25-30 out-of-state recruits. “Everything turned out well, and we didn’t need to rework or resize anything. It was very easy to implement.” How Fire-Dex to innovate and apply new technologies For Memphis Fire, the Virtual Sizer is a solution that saves time, cuts costs, and enhances the department’s ability to recruit from a wider geographic pool. “Our AI tool streamlines ordering, but the real winners here are the firefighters,” said Todd Herring, adding “The process is faster, but more importantly, emergency responders end up with gear that fits well and lets them focus on the job. It’s another example of how Fire-Dex continues to innovate and apply new technologies to serving those who serve.” 

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has used a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), or drone to deliver vital medication to a flood-isolated resident in northern New South Wales (NSW), supporting the State Emergency Service (SES)-led emergency response to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. A FRNSW RPAS team responded to a request from NSW Ambulance, who were unable to access a patient after the community was cut off by floodwater. The team assessed the feasibility of an aerial delivery of medication to the patient. Drone delivers medicines to isolated community During the operation, FRNSW’s Indigenous Liaison Team provided support Firefighters collected the urgent medication from Lismore Hospital, before deploying the drone to complete the drop. During the operation, FRNSW’s Indigenous Liaison Team provided support. A person from the community was on the phone with the patient throughout the process, offering reassurance and support. FRNSW’s Indigenous Liaison Team provide support FRNSW Indigenous Liaison Teams were deployed this week to visit communities and missions in Northern NSW to understand the challenges they are facing, and assist coordination with other agencies, councils and essential services. For assistance during floods and storms call the NSW SES on 132 500 or Triple Zero (000) for life threatening emergencies.

Telguard, a pioneer in security and life safety technologies, is pleased to bring to market the latest addition to its multi-carrier family of products. The new TG-7FEM multi-carrier 5G LTE-M and Internet commercial fire communicator offers the best in alarm communications. Telguard’s recent introduction The Internet can be set as the primary path, backup to cellular, or disabled Like Telguard’s most recent introduction, the TG-7FM, the TG-7FEM harnesses groundbreaking multi-carrier capability with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all built in. It continually checks service, enabling the carrier to be automatically switched if an outage is detected.  What differentiates the TG-7FEM is its added ability to connect to a facility’s Ethernet LAN, providing a dual pathway for alarm signal transmission from the premises to the central monitoring station. The Internet can be set as the primary path, backup to cellular, or disabled.  5G-LTE-M technology The TG-7FEM easily connects to the panel DACT (dialer) to replace expensive landlines and communicates using 5G-LTE-M technology to ensure uninterrupted signal and product longevity. And users can opt to send signals to any central station they choose.  It operates on 12/24-volt DC panel power or via AC outlet and complies with NFPA 72. The TG-7FEM is the one communicator that’s perfect for every job and offers more redundancy at an economical cost, in a UL Listed device.

As a company officer, the day will come where you and your crew are first to arrive at what looks like the beginning of a major incident. Your Battalion Chief (BC) is delayed or diverted to other incidents, so YOU are the Incident Commander (IC). How you set the table for this incident with regard to quickly setting up the Incident Command System (ICS) is critical. And how you use your channels of communication, including the ways you communicate, will be crucial to your success. Before we jump into the ‘how-to’, let’s examine something that looms over everything we do during emergencies, especially fires - ‘The NIOSH 5’. I first became aware of the NIOSH 5, when listening to one of Anthony Kastros’ lectures on incident command and the need for an organization on the fire ground. ‘The NIOSH 5’ Firefighters and emergency workers typically get lost, hurt, or killed at incidents, when any one of five causal factors identified by The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are present: Improper risk assessment Lack of incident command Lack of accountability Inadequate communications Lack of SOPs (or failure to follow established SOPs) Statistically, 50 percent of these line-of-duty deaths (LODDs) and injury events occur in the first 15 minutes of an incident. Half of those occur in the first three minutes! If you’re the initial IC, it’s statistically likely this could happen while you’re in charge. Need for training and practice in handling emergencies Keeping ‘The NIOSH 5’ at the forefront of your mind should trigger the need for training and practice in handling emergencies. Although there are factors you simply can’t control during an emergency, you can control communications, incident command, accountability, repetitive training, and standardization. The following are some things to keep in mind while managing an incident: Arrival on Scene In incident management, setup is everything and oftentimes, determines the outcome of the incident. To use a sports analogy, you definitely want your first pitch to be a strike. So how do you do that? Provide a Solid Size-up Clear and concise on-scene conditions reports set the tone for any incident and establish solid communications The first step is taking a deep breath and giving a good size-up. Clear and concise on-scene conditions reports set the tone for any incident and establish solid communications, and a command tone. Your tone and tempo in your size-up will help focus everyone and create a tactics-driven incident, rather than an emotions-driven one. But, if we’re being honest, being cool takes practice and repetition. Your agency should have a standardized way for how and when this size-up is delivered. In many cases, it’s a fill-in-the-blank script that includes the following four things: What you see (smoke and flames/or nothing showing) The area you see it affecting (the second story, the alpha/bravo corner) What’s happening/what’s on fire or causing the hazard (a two-story home or a sedan next to a building) Establishing command (a must-take command or pass, if you’re going to rescue a citizen) By practicing within your agency’s standards, it enables you to project a cool tone over the radio like you’ve ‘been there before. Order resources early and often Tunnel vision is a death sentence for any IC. In most cases, this is not the time to get sucked into task-level problems. The exceptions to this are structure fires and other emergencies where there is an immediate and known rescue. Otherwise, it’s time to step back, take in the big picture, and make decisions as an IC. Ask yourself: ‘What will this incident do in five minutes? 10? 20? One hour?’ If the answer is ‘get bigger’, then you need more resources. Order them early and often, because they can always be turned around. Don’t try to do too much with too little. Trusted Incident Command System equals early accountability As the initial IC, you’ll be sending crews into the hazard zone. It’s a red flag if, during the initial portion of the incident, you don’t have solid accountability. It’s during this initial ‘fog of war’ that we lose track of crews, and it’s when personnel gets hurt or killed. NFPA 1561, along with other best practices, requires that you know where everyone is and what they’re doing. If you don’t have that knowledge, stop and figure that out, or assign someone to figure it out and report back to you as soon as possible. Benefits of an all-in-one digital platform - Tablet Command Many agencies require the first-arriving officer to implement some form of an ICS to track crew Many agencies require the first-arriving officer to implement some form of an ICS to track crews – a notepad, whiteboard, tactical worksheet, or better yet, a digital command board. The huge advantage of an all-in-one digital platform like Tablet Command is that it’s CAD-integrated and will populate resources for you in real-time. There’s no writing and scribbling while listening to garbled radio traffic, and no trying to ‘catch up’ with resource orders that change on the fly. Accountability integrated into command processes With a platform, such as Tablet Command, all you’re doing is dragging and dropping resources into their assignments, which automatically time-stamps their activities. Maintaining accountability becomes seamlessly integrated into your command processes. These digital platforms also tend to be highly recognizable and easy for others to assume command. It’s paramount that you train extensively on whatever system your agency uses, and that everyone in your region or agency is squared away on how to maintain accountability in a standardized fashion. It’s a problem if you have several chiefs and company officers, and too many (or not enough) ways of maintaining accountability. Many agencies need the first-arriving officer to implement an ICS to track crews Segment and subdivide How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Use your knowledge of your ICS to break up the incident into manageable bites. When the Fire Chief arrives, they’ll have simple questions: Where is everybody? What are they doing? How are they doing? How do I talk to them? Knowing where your people need to deploy and what channel they’re on are critical to accountability. Using the command board is a great way to have all of those questions answered. Using divisions, groups, or sectors can make your life easier in this regard, especially as an incident grows rapidly Using divisions, groups, or sectors can make your life easier in this regard, especially as an incident grows rapidly. This is true because it ensures you’re talking to the supervisors of each segment of the emergency, especially when assessing conditions, actions and needs. Setting up an incident this way should also be an expectation that is agency-wide and practiced in scenario-based training. The terminology should be standardized so that your agency and neighboring agencies aren’t interpreting what you’re trying to accomplish in the heat of battle. Summary A clear communications plan, solid scene size-up, and early establishment of the ICS by company officers are critical to incident success. Combine this with accurate and solid accountability systems, either through analog methods or with a modern digital solution in real-time, and you guarantee safer outcomes for your crews. The best way to be prepared is through long hours of dedicated practice in the command role and, more importantly, an agency-wide understanding of what’s in the play book: Standardization! A standard approach to managing incidents will help you remedy the chaos and enable you to hand over a well-organized incident to the first-arriving Chief.

There’s no doubt the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act are driving major improvements in the construction industry’s quality and approval processes. Although the initial focus of the legislation is on high-rise residential buildings, it’s predicted to be rolled out across the entire sector soon, tightening fire safety regulations in hospitals, hotels, and commercial offices and we await the rafts of secondary legislation that will really redefine the regulatory landscape. Many fear that commercial real estate professionals will be unprepared for the higher levels of compliance required, by the incoming regulations. New requirements for competency, collaboration, and digitally presenting joined-up information will inevitably be imposed on architects, building inspectors, owners, and construction product manufacturers. Fire regulations for commercial buildings However, currently, fire regulations for commercial buildings remain lax and there’s ambiguity about what constitutes appropriate fire safety system management, as well as how to prepare for revised building and fire safety requirements, as they become available. It’s all too easy to take a laissez-faire attitude, but adopting an ‘it will never happen to me’ approach is likely to lead to problems down the road, so contractors, asset owners and FMs alike need to get with the legislative program and fast. Understanding of fire safety ratings for things to increase If specifiers are cutting corners and installing inadequately rated products today, there will be very costly consequences later It is certain that office interior specification, coupled with ongoing checks and a robust understanding of fire safety ratings for things, such as interior doors, panels and partitions is likely to be increasingly challenging going forward. Importantly, if specifiers are cutting corners and installing inadequately rated products today, there will be very costly consequences later. As a result, it is advisable to go above and beyond current construction regulations, when specifying materials for commercial office interiors, in order to future-proof and keep occupants safe. The Grenfell turning point Grenfell was a wake-up call for the construction sector, particularly for construction product manufacturers and those involved in fire protection and fire testing. Before the tragedy, many believed their products were safe and their methods were flawless and tested according to official guidelines. However, this terrible event compelled the industry to examine its manufacturing procedures, the efficacy, adequacy and relevance of testing and certification, as well as product performance claims made in marketing collateral. This re-evaluation, which found many parts of the specification process not fit-for-purpose, has, thankfully, culminated in a total cultural overhaul. Asking important questions regarding building fire safety Fundamentally, there was not enough questioning before Grenfell. Now, we’re re-thinking everything, asking ourselves: Are we doing things correctly? What’s the risk? How can we mitigate that risk? Five years on, the interpretation of evidence, whether direct fire test evidence or third-party assessment, has become much more refined, and rightfully so. Designers and contractors are paying more attention to the evidence used to support proposed items and applications, while manufacturers are re-thinking their use of evidence, in line with post-Grenfell thinking. Adequacy of test evidence The adequacy of test evidence for a given application is now being scrutinized much more closely The adequacy of test evidence for a given application is now being scrutinized much more closely, as are the testing methodologies. It now raises the important question: ‘Does this test accurately represent the effect in a real-world scenario?’ Unfortunately, the capacity to deliver on these questions is not matching good intentions. The rising need for test evidence of fire resistance rather than merely accepting an assessment has caused testing facilities to become overloaded, resulting in much longer wait times. Assessments are now heavily connected to appropriate fire test findings, which necessitate the gathering of evidence and a higher level of analysis, in order to provide assessments. The entire process has become necessarily more complicated, but this has affected efficiency, something which will need to be addressed as construction output inevitably increases. R&D cultivates innovation Fortunately, there are solutions within reach, thanks to significant advancements in the development of fire-safe products and materials across the industry. There’s been an increase in project-specific developments, as suppliers collaborate with designers and fire regulatory organizations to share their expertise. As a result, rather than merely installing the best fit, projects are now specified with fully customized fire-rated systems. Meanwhile, continuing R&D has led to many organizations looking ahead and anticipating shifting demands and trends in the built environment. It’s leading to additional testing and product development for applications that aren't already covered by existing technologies, and a commitment to the highest-quality fire solutions, meaning safer and higher-performance products. Expertise and training are key It’s important to note that choosing fire-rated products does not make the area fire-safe by default. Once the facility is in operation, a systems approach is needed to ensure that the installation and risk assessment of fire-rated products are periodically monitored. Extensive training and CPD must be taken into account for specifiers Even the slightest modification to a fire-rated product, such as changing a glass door’s opening system, might compromise its integrity. It’s critical to completely understand the ins and outs of the product being defined, in order to ensure that it's used correctly. As a result, extensive training and CPD must be taken into account for specifiers and office building managers alike. Increased training and CPD Increased training and CPD will keep the industry on track to deal with the level of comprehensive knowledge necessary Increased training and CPD will keep the industry on track to deal with the level of comprehensive knowledge necessary, specifying according to need and meeting the high standards of the near future. Continued development of fire knowledge is crucial, as the latest high-performance glass doors in offices today are specialized pieces of technology and fire-rated systems behave very differently from other glass partitions or doors. The design dilemma Another significant challenge is incorporating fire safe components into a space without losing its aesthetic appeal, but remaining compliant. Designers are increasingly aiming to open up space to bring in natural light and encourage a sense of well-being for the occupants, meaning walls that would previously have been solid are being specified as glazed. This means that large panels of glass, beyond the capacity of fire test facilities, must be handled sensitively and installed within a bespoke system. This necessitates close liaison with certification authorities to identify what can be assessed from the test evidence provided. Of course, workplaces must be fire safe, look good, and feel pleasant to work in. The sheer complexity of the day-to-day office functionality is a difficult issue. Aesthetics are often a requirement that is added to the fire resistance of fire doors. But it’s often the case that suitably certified hardware simply doesn’t exist. Glass office partition systems Can fire safety and great design coexist in the office space? Yes, definitely. Can fire safety and great design coexist in the office space? Yes, definitely. This is because, the latest glazed and sliding doors, adjustable ‘office pods’, and acoustically-optimized walls are all made with fire safety, sustainability, and elegant design in mind. Many glass office partition systems allow natural light and air circulation to flow through the room, which helps to improve employee well-being and boosts performance. Fire safety is of the utmost importance Fire safety and design can harmoniously co-exist in an office space, but it comes down to managing expectations. Fire safety is of the utmost importance, and as the requirements tighten, the commercial office industry will catch up with fire safety standards, testing and reporting regimes, and ongoing compliance. Fortunately, fantastic fire-resistant workplace solutions are entering the market, built for safety, flexibility, and aesthetic appeal.

Last year was the largest wildfire season recorded in California in modern history, with six of the top 20 largest wildfires in the state, according to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). In 2020, firefighters faced a total of 9,917 wildfires that consumed a record 6,653 square miles. These fires took the lives of 33 people and damaged or destroyed 10,488 structures. Ahead of the 2022 wildland fire season, climatologists are predicting another record-shattering year of frequent and intense wildfires across the United States. This reflects a continuing trend of more wildfires and more acres burned, with seasons that are more severe and last longer. Growing concern for WUI firefighters DuPont believes these dedicated men and women deserve the best protection Concern is growing for wildland urban interface (WUI) firefighters as fires today frequently intersect with residential areas, in and around wildland fields. WUI firefighters are fighting both wildfires and urban fires. This comes with combined hazards and the clear need for their gear to work harder than ever before. DuPont believes these dedicated men and women deserve the best protection and the best gear to match their unwavering commitment to keeping everyone safe. At DuPont, we look at singular and multiple threats simultaneously. Our decades of experience, wide portfolio of solutions and unique partnerships with firehouses around the world, allow us to continue to innovate our next-generation gear to face emerging threats. Uncompromised Protection The DuPont Nomex brand has been trusted for over 50 years. WUI firefighters can depend on apparel made with Nomex and Nomex Nano to offer higher fire resistance along with over 99% particulate protection in lighter weight options. Nomex Nano was developed to address the growing problem of heat stress. It is engineered to be thinner than other advanced flame-resistant (FR) materials used for thermal liners and features a higher limiting oxygen index (LOI) than traditional Nomex and DuPont Kevlar. Nomex Nano We have seen Nomex Nano provide up to 40% reduction in thermal liner thickness, when compared to other advanced liners available in the market, while providing similar thermal protection performance. By reducing the weight and bulk of current turnout gear (TOG) systems, liners made with Nomex Nano can help give firefighters increased mobility and a better range of motion, thereby helping to reduce fatigue, disorientation and heat exhaustion. Reduced heat stress and enhanced moisture management Nomex Nano also helps reduce heat stress due to its enhanced moisture management Nomex Nano also helps reduce heat stress due to its enhanced moisture management, which includes a high absorption rate to remove sweat quickly and a high evaporation rate to drive water out of a firefighter’s skin and the thermal liner system. Kelly Whitt, Business Development Manager at DuPont said, “Our existing products have been proven with years in the structural firefighting arena. Today, we’re looking at ways to bridge the gap and give WUI firefighters the same level of protection from harmful smoke particulates that can be found in structural fire turnout gear.” Field test of new laminated composite fabric technology Kelly Whitt adds, “We are field testing a new laminated composite fabric technology – utilizing Nomex® Nano – that will provide superior particulate protection for both wildland-urban interface and brush fire firefighting.” DuPont understands that collaborating with a variety of stakeholders is the key to taking the technology to the next level and providing WUI firefighters with a better level of protection, than what they have previously experienced with traditional wildland gear. Game-changing barrier protection Scientists are just starting to learn more about what firefighters are exposed to, when they are battling a wildland blaze. They know that a variety of airborne pathogens get kicked up in a fire. They have tracked countless living microbes and airborne pathogens that could seep into the skin, enter lungs and cling to clothing. But the long-term effects of wildfire smoke aren’t really known, as fires haven’t burned for this long until recent years. At this point, experts don’t have a good understanding of the many trillions of microbes that survive and proliferate in wildfires. “The diversity of microbes that we've found are really mind-bending,” said Leda Kobziar, the University of Idaho’s Wildland Fire Science Director.  The addition of Nomex Nano Flex to a firefighter hood composite structure Enhanced protection against particulates As we look to the next generation of gear, we want to focus on increasing protection against particulates. We know that when added to a firefighter hood composite structure, hoods made with Nomex Nano Flex provide higher than 99% particulate, bacterial and viral filtration efficiency, without compromising on comfort. The addition of Nomex Nano Flex to a firefighter hood composite structure provides improved particle barrier protection in the neckline and upper jaw. These are areas that are known to be the most vulnerable and least protected. In fact, it results in up to a 4x increase in particle barrier efficiency. And comfort doesn’t take a back seat. Better situational awareness and high breathability “I speak with firefighters daily, and they tell me hoods with Nomex Nano Flex have exceptional durability,” said Chris Nowacki, Regional Sales Manager – Emergency Response and Utility/Arc at DuPont, adding “In addition, fire departments specify Nomex Nano Flex over other particulate-blocking materials for enhanced safety, better situational awareness, high breathability, low shrinkage and enhanced performance, when soaked with perspiration.” Protection That Lasts Tests show that hoods and composites made with Nomex Nano Flex offer 99% particulate-blocking efficiency Tests show that hoods and composites made with Nomex Nano Flex offer 99% particulate-blocking efficiency, which is four times better than conventional hoods, even after 150 washes. To further validate the durability of the hoods, a test was performed at two local fire stations using hoods from three different manufacturers with different designs, including quilted and non-quilted options. Nomex Nano particulate-blocking gear Each trial consisted of 250 cycles of donning and doffing, followed by one NFPA 1851 recommended washing and drying for 10 cycles. Despite these aggressive trials, the hoods maintained their protective performance. Nomex Nano particulate-blocking gear helps prevent crews from being exposed to particulates and aerosolized microbes. At DuPont, we are committed to continuing our work with our industry partners to leverage our proven technologies and push the boundaries of science so that the next generation of WUI firefighting gear offers the highest level of protection possible. We are the innovation partner and ingredient. We stay with partners throughout the entire process of adoption and make sure the end user also has what they need to be safe and successful in their jobs. Our heroes deserve it.

Information can transform and guide emergency response. For example, in a structure fire, real-time sensor feeds throughout a building can help 911 and first responders understand how the fire is progressing. In fires and other emergencies, more information provides a better understanding and empowers potentially life-saving decision-making. Emergency response teams depend on information to guide their efforts and to deliver targeted assistance. On the front lines of emergency response are 911 and field responder agencies, which must direct reaction to life-or-death situations rapidly and efficiently. Historically, 911 operators had to respond based on very little information, perhaps just a voice on the phone or a location on their screen. Providing critical information Today, there are literally millions of information sources available, ranging from connected buildings to vehicle telematics to live video streams to health information from wearable devices. In fact, there are 540 million connected devices, any one of which could provide critical information in an emergency. But how can those information sources be leveraged to improve emergency response? That’s the mission and value proposition of RapidSOS, an ‘intelligent safety platform’ company that connects 911 operators with the vast universe of information available to promote better and faster emergency response. Highly sophisticated operation The platform is integrated into every major public safety software system and first responder agency “RapidSOS fuses human and artificial intelligence to put critical information from any connected device directly into the existing systems and operating procedures of first responders across the United States,” says Michael Martin, CEO of RapidSOS. RapidSOS is widely used by first responders. The platform is integrated into every major public safety software system and first responder agency. There are more than 4,600 software integrations that serve more than 21,000 first responders and 911 agencies. In 2023, RapidSOS supported the lifesaving work of public safety across 171 million emergencies with 3.3 billion data payloads. The system is adaptable and configurable to support any agency, from a highly sophisticated operation in New York City to a local sheriff running their own 911 center. Intelligent analytics and reporting RapidSOS Unite is the latest evolution of the product, a single solution that includes AI automation, rich content pathways, redundant connection to caller phones, and access to millions of connected devices. In an emergency, Unite intelligently fuses data from among millions of sensor feeds into a unified picture of an incident, allowing public safety officials to view real-time location, health profile, telematics, alarm data, and more. RapidSOS Unite is the latest evolution of the product, a single solution that includes AI automation RapidSOS offers core modules that handle call, text, video, sensor, mapping, and administration tools, and that provide partner data from connected devices. Additional modules provide enhanced geographic information system (GIS) data, and automated translation and transcription. There is also a single sign-on (SSO) upgrade, intelligent analytics and reporting, and seamless integration into field responder applications. Field responder applications Consider how an emergency might unfold and how RapidSOS can help. In a car accident, data from a modern automobile telematics system can alert a 911 operator of the accident as it happens. Data from a passenger’s wearable device might provide information about their health and condition. A nearby video or traffic camera could fill in details of how the accident occurred. Useful information in an emergency might come from any one of thousands of sources, including public safety data, sensor feeds, enterprise security systems, smartphones, etc. In a train derailment, electronic access to the cargo manifest can identify which train cars contain hazardous materials and how to manage the specific type of hazmat. This information could save valuable time when responding to incidents like the Feb. 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern train derailment involving 38 cars in East Palestine, Ohio. Consider how an emergency might unfold and how RapidSOS can help Institutional security partners Norfolk Southern is one of the companies that provides information to first responders using RapidSOS; in effect, the company provides a direct digital link from their rail security operations to any first responder in the United States. Amazon’s global operations centers also interface with RapidSOS to provide critical information to first responders. Partnering with corporate security helps to better support the flow of data from institutional security partners and their solutions. Real-time security camera footage Having access to live feeds can save lives as 911 provides pre-arrival instructions such as CPR Leading the way to providing video feeds from private camera systems to 911 operators is an agreement between Eagle Eye Networks and RapidSOS, which was announced in April 2024. The agreement allows an enterprise to opt-in to share real-time security camera footage from an Eagle Eye video stream during a live 911 call. Having access to live feeds can save lives as 911 provides pre-arrival instructions such as CPR.  “Security cameras are crucial in many locations, including schools, but previously those cameras could not be accessed by 911 during an emergency but were only used for investigation after an incident,” says Martin. Improving fire and life safety systems RapidSOS is also integrated with Honeywell’s Connected Life Safety Services (CLSS) system, a cloud platform that combines software and hardware to improve fire and life safety systems. Technology integrations between the two companies further modernize and digitize the public safety communications process to provide faster, more accurate communications with emergency centers (i.e., 911 agencies). RapidSOS technology securely transmits detailed data about an emergency CLSS provides real-time visibility and connectivity to help systems integrators and facilities managers make informed decisions and manage fire systems more efficiently. When combined with Honeywell's solutions, RapidSOS technology securely transmits detailed data about an emergency, such as the type of hazard, severity, and location within the impacted building, to emergency response centers. Video object detection Rapid SOS’s emerging Harmony artificial intelligence (AI) product serves as a ‘co-pilot’ for 911 operators, helping them manage the high volume of emergencies by making their response more efficient. Harmony pulls all the sensor feeds in an emergency and works to make only the most important information available in the hands of 911 and first responders. Harmony can take key insights from text and video data, use ‘sentiment analysis’ to determine the emotion tone of a message, and help 911 professionals using language translation, keyword alerts, and video object detection. Harmony can help local agencies as they address a 25% average staffing shortage by providing additional support to 911 professionals while lessening the workload. Harmony is also working to help RapidSOS expand the ecosystem, stitching more data together and quickly making it more actionable than ever. Emergency response system RapidSOS also interfaces with Iamresponding, a comprehensive end-to-end emergency response system for first responders in the fire and other emergency sectors. Iamresponding’s field responder application is used by RapidSOS to get information out to first responders in the field. More than 650,000 first responders use RapidSOS’s field application RapidSOS’s recent acquisition of Iamresponding helps the company improve the connection with the last mile “in-the-field” piece of the puzzle, ensuring partners across computer-aided dispatch (CAD), integrated applications, mobile data terminals, body cameras, and other responders have access to critical data. More than 650,000 first responders use RapidSOS’s field application. Enhancing emergency response RapidSOS’s Safety Pioneer Program formalizes the important partnership between RapidSOS and public safety agencies. Participants in the program receive early access to new platform features, contribute to the platform roadmap, and drive feedback to enhance emergency response. “911 and first responders do incredible lifesaving work,” says Martin. “Everything we have done and built at RapidSOS is a direct result of the engagement, partnerships, inside advice and insight we have gotten from public safety. We have learned from them, developed new technologies and tested them.” Martin adds: “Companies have data and we now know how to make that data actionable into the hands of 911 and first responders to save lives. This is an exciting moment for us continuing our mission in partnership with public safety, and for technology and security companies to have a major hand in that.” {##Poll1720595927 - What is the most valuable benefit of artificial intelligence (AI) in an emergency call center?##}

To be a smart city, modern urban areas leverage technology to improve operations and services, in effect deploying a network of sensors and devices to collect data on city operations such as traffic flow, energy use, and waste management. Analyzing the data points enables cities to identify areas for improvement and additional solutions to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. But what are the opportunities for the fire service in today’s smart cities? Smart cities enable the creation of a more dynamic and data-driven approach to fire response. Technology enables quicker fire detection, faster routing of first responders through traffic management, and proactive fire prevention strategies, among other advantages. Analyzing Risks and Planning Prevention The fire service plays a crucial role in keeping citizens safe in smart cities, and with the integration of technologies, their capabilities are expanding. For example, smart cities utilize sensor networks and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to constantly monitor buildings for temperature fluctuations or other signs of potential fire hazards. This allows fire departments to identify risks early and take preventative measures. Real-time traffic data can be used to optimize ways for fire trucks, ensuring they reach the set faster Smart technologies can improve response times by automatically alerting fire services the moment a fire breaks out. Additionally, real-time traffic data can be used to optimize routes for fire trucks, ensuring they reach the scene quicker. Firefighters in smart cities can benefit from wearable technology and sensor data to gain better awareness of the fire environment. This can include data on temperature, air quality, and even the location of fellow firefighters, all of which improve decision-making and firefighter safety. Addressing Obstacles of Traffic Congestion Traffic congestion is a major obstacle for emergency vehicles. Smart cities use sensors and data analytics to monitor traffic flow in real time. This data can be used to dynamically adjust traffic lights, prioritizing emergency vehicles, and clearing a path to the fire. Fire stations can be equipped with software that analyzes real-time traffic data and chooses the fastest route to the fire scene. This can take into account accidents, road closures, and even weather conditions to optimize the route for emergency vehicles. Lessons Learned from Historical Data Smart city data assigns fire units to analyze historical fire incidents and recall high-risk areas Smart city data empowers fire departments to analyze historical fire incidents and identify high-risk areas. This helps them deploy resources strategically and plan fire prevention efforts more effectively. Smart city data can be used to identify areas with a higher risk of fire based on factors like building age, occupancy, and historical fire incidents. This allows fire services to pre-position resources in high-risk areas or implement preventative measures in those locations, potentially leading to fewer fires overall and faster response times when they do occur. Predicting fires in a smart city is not about pinpointing the exact time and location. Rather, it is about using data and machine learning to identify areas with a high risk of fires. A key aspect of smart city fire prediction involves collecting data from various sources. This includes historical fire incident records, building codes and inspection reports, weather data, and even sensor data from cameras and Internet of Things (IoT) devices in buildings. Closer attention or preventative measures The collected data is fed into machine learning algorithms that can identify patterns and relationships between various factors that contribute to fire risk. Based on the analysis, algorithms can assign a fire risk score to different buildings or even city blocks. This allows fire services to create fire risk maps, highlighting areas that require closer attention or preventative measures. Based on the analysis, algorithms can assign a fire risk score to different buildings or even city blocks Knowing high-risk areas allows fire departments to take proactive steps. This could involve increased fire inspections in those areas, educating residents on fire safety, or even pre-positioning fire trucks or resources closer to high-risk zones during periods of high fire danger. In essence, fire services in smart cities are transforming from reactive forces to proactive guardians, leveraging technology to prevent fires, respond faster, and protect both citizens and firefighters. Smarter Systems for Earlier Detection Traditional smoke detectors are helpful in fire prevention and response, but smarter systems with Internet-of-things (IoT) sensors can detect fires earlier and with more precision. These sensors identify both smoke and factors like temperature and air quality changes, thus providing valuable details to firefighters. Additionally, these systems can automatically notify fire services the moment a fire breaks out, eliminating any delay in reporting. Here are some examples of the impact of technology on the fire service. Dryad Networks, a Berlin-based company, builds large-scale sensor networks using the Internet of Things (IoT) specifically designed for forests. Their sensors can be attached to trees and detect gases like carbon monoxide in the early stages of a fire, giving firefighters a crucial head start. Pano is a company that analyzes data from emergency calls to pinpoint the exact location of a fire Another company, OroraTech, leverages satellite technology to meticulously map large areas, identifying zones susceptible to wildfires. This information helps forest managers and firefighters focus their preventative efforts on high-risk zones. Providing a unique approach to fire detection, Pano is a company that analyzes data from emergency calls to pinpoint the exact location of a fire and sends firefighters a text message with a video feed. This helps distinguish real emergencies from false alarms and allows for a faster response. Rain, based in Alameda, Calif., is developing firefighting drones that can be automatically dispatched upon detecting a fire. These drones can reach remote areas quickly and potentially suppress the fire before it spreads, offering a faster response in hard-to-reach locations. Smart Cities: Technologies Continue to Advance It's important to remember that fire prediction is still a developing field, and new technology models are not perfect. However, by leveraging data and machine learning, smart cities can significantly improve their ability to identify areas with a higher likelihood of fires, allowing them to take preventative actions and ultimately improve public safety.

Wildfires swept through the Panhandle region of Texas earlier in 2024. The Smokehouse Creek Fire and the Windy Deuce Fire, both starting on Feb. 26, were the most significant outbreaks. The Smokehouse Creek Fire went on to become the second largest in U.S. history, burning over a million acres across Texas and Oklahoma before it was contained in mid-March. worst-ever wildfire As Texas battled its worst-ever wildfire, firefighters worked to mitigate fire and smoke damage. Among the challenges were staffing shortages. The United States is facing a serious firefighter shortage that makes fighting wildfires, including the Smokehouse Creek fire, even more difficult. Not unrelatedly, over half of all firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers.  training in structural fires Vector Solutions helps agencies train, prepare, and retain their employees to have a safer, better team “We just know how demanding the wildfire season is and how fast these fires can grow,” says Robbi King, Solutions Engineer at Vector Solutions. “We want our people to be current on the expectations of what we are training, preventing our chance of getting hurt,” he says. As fires increasingly occur at the wildland-urban interface (WUI), departments with training in structural fires should expand their training knowledge to prepare. Vector Solutions helps agencies train, prepare, and retain their employees to have a safer, better team. online firefighting training In addition to the availability of more than 450 hours of online firefighting training, the company also provides software platforms to ensure requisite knowledge and the ability to perform various skills.  Ensuring preparation for wildfire season, Vector Solutions has courses that meet the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements to renew certification. shortage of volunteer firefighters The shortage of volunteer firefighters is in part a reflection of the need for volunteers to hold full-time jobs to support their families, which limits their time for volunteering. Coverage of wildfire events, for example, is difficult during the day when more volunteers are at their paid jobs and unavailable.  “It takes the sacrifice of vacation and other things you earn to be a volunteer,” says King. Firefighter staffing is short throughout the U.S., and agencies facing fire emergencies often call on the larger surrounding area for help. Lack of resources in emergencies Local volunteers can perform some of the duties, but outside aid generally comes in the form of paid firefighters Resources are needed to perform search-and-rescue duties after the fire. “The problem is, when you call on all your assets, are there enough people to take care of medical needs and other emergencies?” says King. Local volunteers can perform some of the duties, but outside aid generally comes in the form of paid firefighters. Volunteers cannot commit two weeks of unpaid time even in a fire emergency.  Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) can help to identify areas to search, but it takes human intervention to perform rescues and to facilitate recovery. A decayed power pole sparking dry grass was determined as the cause of the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Texas, and several other fires were also traced back to faulty power equipment. The fires caused significant damage, including hundreds of homes destroyed, livestock deaths, and widespread destruction of crops and ranch infrastructure.  Wildfire impact and concerns  A huge concern during wildfire season is that individuals heed evacuation orders when they come in. “We don’t want people to be left behind,” says King. “There’s nothing there that is worth your life. Minding the evacuation orders gets you out of harm’s way.” Residents in areas impacted by wildfire should also do their part to protect their homes; sometimes it’s as simple as mowing the grass. role of the weather Additional moisture can contribute to the rapid thickening of undergrowth, which contributes eventually The weather plays a significant role in determining the course of the wildfire season. Additional moisture can contribute to the rapid thickening of undergrowth, which contributes eventually to a cycle of drying out and opening the door to wildfires.  The location of residences near areas prone to wildfires can contribute to risks, especially along the wildland-urban interface. “Communities want to live near nature, so they work with builders, who are trying to appease what they want,” says King. Vector Solutions Cloud “We need to look at where we are placing these homes to make sure we are pushing the vegetation back far enough to prevent the spread of fires.” Keeping firefighter skills current also makes a big difference. The Vector Solutions Cloud stores video of first responders performing skills and the video can be observed and critiqued later for better training.  Scheduling and Check It Vector also provides Vector Scheduling, a time-and-attendance tool. Vector Check It streamlines routine truck and equipment tracking and centralizes asset and inventory management. Vector’s Guardian Tracking is a performance management and early intervention solution that equips first responders with a process for consistent feedback and positive recognition while identifying those in need of intervention before an adverse event takes place.  Guardian Tracking Software The system can also identify when people are performing below expectations or fail to meet standards Vector Solutions can contribute to firefighter retention. The Guardian Tracking software can identify career milestone events and trace the negative impacts of a major fire event, including emotional stress. The system can also identify when people are performing below expectations or fail to meet standards. “Most agencies have de-brief sessions after milestone events, but sometimes we need additional care,” says King. impact due to COVID  “We want to take care of people, but sometimes we need a reminder.” If departments can retain people, it becomes less of a recruitment effort. Four years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the fire service is still being felt. “We are still identifying the long-lasting COVID effects, and there are small segments of communities that have not fully recovered,” says King. ”When you expose them to wildland fire and smoke, it compounds the issues.”  risk assessment It will be some time before the full impact of COVID is understood, including the need for first responders to go inside residences at the height of the pandemic.  “My work with the fire service and the military prepared me to always think about possibilities,” says King. “We do a risk assessment, which has allowed me to understand what the fire service needs and how we can apply our solutions to streamline and improve agencies’ processes. Having that knowledge has helped me find the right solution for firefighter needs.” 

A man has suffered burns to his arm and leg after a fire involving an e-bike at a property in North St Marys, in Sydney's west. Fire and Rescue NSW crews were called just after 4.00am this morning following a Triple Zero call reporting a fire and explosions at a property in Glossop Street. Firefighter Response On arrival, firefighters found an e-bike alight, with a man nearby suffering burn. Crews quickly extinguished the fire before removing the bike's lithium-ion battery and submerging it in water to prevent reignition. The man was initially treated by firefighters at the scene prior to the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics. He was later transported to hospital. Investigations are underway into the cause of the fire, including whether the e-bike had been modified. Battery Safety Tips FRNSW urges the community to make sure they shop, charge and recycle lithium-ion battery products safely: Never charge in exits or anywhere that would prevent you from escaping in the event of a fire Install active smoke alarms in your home/garage Always buy reputable lithium-ion battery brands and never ‘mix and match’ components Don’t leave devices charging in bedrooms or on beds, sofas or around highly flammable materials Try to charge devices outside if possible Beware of cheap, substandard lithium-ion battery-powered devices Avoid dropping, crushing or piercing battery cells If lithium-ion batteries are damaged or compromised, dispose of them properly Don’t throw them out in the rubbish, they can start garbage truck or rubbish tip fires when compacted Contact your local, approved recycling centre for disposal advice Store batteries and devices in a cool, dry area, away from combustible materials Ensure you have a home evacuation plan in the event of fire.

Providing innovative fire safety technology, global wireless solutions provider - Ramtech has revealed its role in protecting the prestigious F1 Hungarian Grand Prix 2024, with its WES system utilized across several temporary buildings for optimum site protection. Working closely with Hungarian partner, High-Security Kft, Ramtech supplied its EN54-25 compliant wireless fire and evacuation system (WES) for various structures including media spaces, bathrooms, dressing rooms, and conference areas. These facilities were purpose-built for the race and lacked permanent fire alarm systems, so the system helped to deliver enhanced safety for personnel and equipment throughout the event. WES fire points and smoke detectors Adam Kovics, Export Sales Manager at Ramtech, said: "It’s a privilege to get to work on such a renowned event as the F1 Grand Prix, which gives us the opportunity to showcase how robust and reliable our systems are on the world stage. WES provided an ideal fire safety solution for the temporary structures, offering ease of installation and removal post-event and ensuring safety and compliance with event regulations." He adds, "It is certainly a proud moment for the team in supporting the safety and 24/7 monitoring of this iconic race. WES fire points and smoke detectors were installed across four container groups at the Hungaroring racetrack in Mogyoród, Pest County. The WES interface was used to connect the system to the permanent fire alarm system, ensuring continuous monitoring and immediate response capabilities." Building reconstructions  In the event of an evacuation, an alarm would sound to alert all workers The system’s robust radio mesh network also ensured seamless communication between devices without interfering with existing systems. In the event of an evacuation, an alarm would sound to alert all workers, prioritizing their well-being as well as helping to prevent potential disasters.  Hungarian Grand Prix The famed Hungarian Grand Prix was held across the weekend of 19–21 July with 20 initial drivers competing in the 70-lap race. The event was the thirteenth round of the 2024 Formula One World Championship and the 39th running in the Hungaroring circuit’s history as part of the Formula One World Championship. The containers and the temporary system were necessary due to ongoing permanent building reconstructions that will only be completed for the 2025 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Cygnus’ world-first 100% wireless and EN 54 certified SmartNet-Pro fire detection and alarm solution has been installed at the Contractor’s Village at Heysham Power Station 1 in Lancashire, providing reliable life-saving fire protection equipment in a challenging industrial location. Manchester-based installer - Marlowe Fire & Security worked together with its client, Equans, a provider of technical services, FM, regeneration and energy services, on the project. Marlowe Fire & Security selected Cygnus’ SmartNet-Pro solution having successfully worked with the Cygnus team on several projects previously. Challenging Setting Contractor’s Village consists of twenty cabins, each equipped with a Detector and Manual Call Point The Contractor’s Village consists of twenty cabins, each equipped with a Detector and Manual Call Point, connected to a SmartNet-Pro Control Panel in one of the nearest cabins to the main site, alongside an interface for the signal to the main site. Simon Hilton, Systems Account Manager, Marlowe Fire & Security, said "We chose SmartNet-Pro thanks to its proven reliability, robustness, and impressive installation speed. This project presented quite a challenge due to the amount of metal in the cabin construction, which would cause issues if installing a wired system, and means we needed a product with robust signal strength." He adds, "Thanks to SmartNet’s 100% wireless capabilities, it ensured minimal disruption to the site and was quickly deployable. We’ve used Cygnus products before in similar settings and we’ve always been impressed with the outcome and this project was no exception." SmartNet fire detection and alarm system Heysham Power Station 1 experiences intermittent outages for maintenance purposes. SmartNet runs on wireless radio devices as part of a robust, self-forming and self-healing mesh network technology, in which the infrastructure nodes connect dynamically to provide highly efficient and robust network performance. This ensures that the SmartNet fire detection and alarm system can keep operating through these outages for the continuous on-site safety of workers. Being 100% wireless, SmartNet not only reduces cabling complexities that would arise trying to install through metal, but also provides a scalable solution for future needs. Successful Results Simon Hilton commended the fast responsiveness of the Cygnus team, stating, "The support from the Cygnus team was exceptional. They were always on hand to assist us, ensuring a smooth and successful installation." Simon also highlighted the value of the Cygnus Academy one-day training session and becoming a Cygnus Certified Installer, commenting "The team found this hugely beneficial as it combined both theoretical and hands-on practical training to enable them to complete a successful installation."  The Cygnus Academy The Cygnus Academy presents a high-specification, in-person training program, that can be carried out in two bespoke locations. Installers gain understanding and attain certification for installing SmartNet. Geoff Copsey, EDF Energy, expressed satisfaction with the installation, stating, "The implementation of Cygnus’ SmartNet-Pro system at Heysham Power Station 1 has provided us with a reliable and robust fire detection solution. We are impressed with the system’s performance and appreciate the peace of mind it brings to our operations."

Thermal imaging is an advantageous tool for firefighters on the frontline. As thermal cameras have become more compact and affordable, their availability has expanded, along with their usefulness. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How does thermal imaging serve the needs of firefighters and how is it changing?  

New tools and technologies are emerging that augment the efforts of the fire market to prevent and fight fires. Modern firefighting is benefiting from an ongoing sea change in technological capabilities, spanning equipment, electronic components, greater connectivity and firefighter monitoring, to name just a few. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What technologies will have the greatest impact on the fire industry in 2021?