Smart Firefighting - podcast cover

Smart Firefighting

Smart Firefightingsmartfirefighting.podbean.com
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.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Episode 221: Collaborative Skies: Public Safety Aviation with Coitt Kessler

How is the shift towards collaboration and data-driven decision-making transforming the public safety industry? 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! Welcome back to this 20-episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

May 23, 202420 min

Episode 220: FAA & First Responders: A Flying Alliance with Michael O’Shea

How has the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) evolved, and what's their focus now? 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! Welcome back to this 20-episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

May 21, 202420 min

Episode 219: From Games to Lifesaving Simulations: The Zephyr Training Story with Kyle Bishop

What is the Zephyr Drone Simulator? 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! Welcome back to this 20-episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Granite Defense⁠⁠⁠...

May 16, 202412 min

Episode 218: Innovating Wildfire Response with XPRIZE with Jay Stalnacker, Denise Smith & Mike Cox

What is the XPRIZE Wildfire competition? 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! We're hitting pause on our Texas Robotics Summit Mini Series right now to bring you an episode from FDIC... In this episode: How the XPPRIZE Wildfire competition incentives technology developers to solve the wildfire problem ...

May 15, 202416 min

Episode 217: Creative Rescues: Drones & Robots at FDNY with Scott Schmidt & Frank Montana

Why are creativity and curiosity critical for robotics? 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! Welcome back to this 20-episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gra...

May 09, 202430 min

Episode 216: Tech Meets Tradition: Rethinking Boston Fire with Robots with Michael Pavone

How have drones been effectively used in search and rescue operations? Here's some examples: 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! Welcome back to this 20-episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ a...

May 07, 202415 min

Episode 215: Unified Vision: TAK Transforming Public Safety Response with Brandon Alberd

Want to collaborate with different agencies? Then use TAK ... 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! Welcome back to this 20-episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Granite...

May 02, 202417 min

Episode 214: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) Webinar

Hear from NASA on National Drone Safety Day: 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! We're hitting pause on the Texas Robotics Summit Mini Series to share a one-time special edition of a webinar that was posted the week of April 22, 2024. Today, you will hear from public safety industry professionals who ...

Apr 30, 20241 hr 36 min

Episode 213: Wildlife Rescue: Drones Safeguarding Nature in Texas Parks with Matthew Bridgefarmer

How to avoid risking human lives: employ drones... 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! Welcome to this 20-episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Granite Defense⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , and ...

Apr 25, 202422 min

Episode 212: Beyond Ambulances: Drones Transforming EMS with Chris Lester

EMS operations involve more than just ambulances... 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! Welcome to this 20-episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Granite Defense⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , and showc...

Apr 23, 202419 min

Episode 211: RED Team’s Drone Usage to Elevate Safety for Austin Fire Department with Jason Burnside

How are aerial drones a cost-effective and accessible tool 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! Welcome to this 20-episode ⁠⁠⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠⁠⁠ and by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Granite Def...

Apr 18, 202418 min

Episode 210: Designing Software to Save Lives: DroneSense’s Mission with Charles Herrin

When developing software for public safety, what do you need? 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! Welcome to this 20-episode ⁠⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠⁠ and by our friends at ⁠⁠⁠Granite Defense⁠⁠⁠ , and showcas...

Apr 16, 202414 min

Episode 209: The VTOL Evolution: A New Era of Rescue with Greg Lary

What's an affordable and safe alternative to traditional helicopters for public safety agencies? 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! Welcome to this 20-episode ⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠ and by our friends at ⁠⁠Gr...

Apr 11, 202412 min

Episode 208: Navigating Safety: Drones’ New Horizons with Raymond Sheh, Jordan Odell & Syed Izzat Ullah

How can you manage risk and prevent failures? 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! Welcome to this 20-episode ⁠⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠⁠ and by our friends at ⁠⁠Granite Defense⁠⁠ , and showcased the use of robotics...

Apr 09, 202427 min

Episode 207: Above & Beyond: The Use of Robots in Current & Future FDNY Operations with Michael Leo & Fred Carlson

How does the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) use drones? 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! Welcome to this 20-episode ⁠Texas Robotics Summit⁠ Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the ⁠Reveille Peak Ranch⁠ and by our friends at ⁠Granite Defense⁠ , and showcased the use o...

Apr 04, 202429 min

Episode 206: Flying Beyond Fires: How Drones Help First Responders Save Lives with Bobby Ortiz

What fire department challenges can be addressed with drones and robots? 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! Welcome to this 20-episode Texas Robotics Summit Mini Series! This 4 day event (March 4-7, 2024) was hosted at the Reveille Peak Ranch and by our friends at Granite Defense , and showcased the ...

Apr 02, 202421 min

Episode 205: Mapping as a Superpower: GIS within Fire Service Operations in San Bernardino with Erin Opliger

How can fire departments leverage software tools that enhance situational awareness and embrace data-driven decision making? 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! In this episode: How San Bernardino's fire department uses GIS for situational awareness and public safety The value of Intterra in firefight...

Mar 28, 202421 min

Episode 204: Commanding the Digital Battlefield: TAK’s Revolution in Public Safety with Ryan McLean

Let's talk TAK (Tactical Assault Kit) ... 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! In this episode: How TAK transforms public safety with shared awareness and strategic visualization Insights around how TAK speeds up high-quality decisions for tactical end users How open-source and AI advancements are sett...

Mar 21, 202459 min

Episode 203: Harnessing Virtual Reality for a New Era in Firefighter Training with Rick Huffman

What provides realistic experiences and allows for practicing in high-risk scenarios? 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! Thanks for joining us for our 4 part TSI Mini Series! ⁠⁠⁠The Technology Summit International (TSI)⁠⁠⁠ , held in Texas from December 5-7, 2023, focused on the practical implementati...

Mar 14, 202423 min

Episode 202: Firefighting in the Digital Age: Insights on How to Embrace Innovation with Shawn Downs

Embracing technology requires a mindset of evolution, not revolution... 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! Thanks for joining us for our 4 part TSI Mini Series! ⁠⁠The Technology Summit International (TSI)⁠⁠ , held in Texas from December 5-7, 2023, focused on the practical implementation of technology...

Mar 07, 20241 hr

Episode 201: Fight Fires, Not Software: A New Way to Embrace Fire Service Management with Marcus Edwards

How is Stationwise setting the bar for integration, efficiency, and user experience in 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! Thanks for joining us for our 4 part TSI Mini Series! ⁠The Technology Summit International (TSI)⁠ , held in Texas from December 5-7, 2023, focused on the pract...

Feb 29, 202429 min

Episode 200: Bridging Tradition & Innovation: Chief David Povlitz on the Fire Service Evolution

Technology should just enhance, not replace, firefighters. Here's how: 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! Thanks for joining us for our 4 part TSI Mini Series! The Technology Summit International (TSI) , held in Texas from December 5-7, 2023, focused on the practical implementation of technology in f...

Feb 23, 202427 min

Episode 199: Innovating Policing: How Humble PD Utilizes Drone Technology with Officer Kent Guidry

What are the keys to successful drone implementation? 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! In this episode: Discover how drone technology can further evolve to meet the unique challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in different environments Learn about the journey to drone integration, including ...

Feb 15, 202456 min

Episode 198: Eyes in the Sky: Indiana DHS’s Innovative Drone Program with Mike White

What are the challenges in drone implementation? 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! In this episode: Understand the context into how drones enhance officer safety by providing situational awareness, recon, and overwatch capabilities Learn the importance of choosing the right drone platform for a spec...

Feb 08, 202439 min

Episode 197: Unseen Paths: SYSNAV’s Infrastructure-Free Positioning with the SYSNAV team

From underground facilities to an urban canyon... 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! Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FRST Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Feb 01, 202413 min

Episode 196: Behind the Fire Line: First Responder Perspectives on Old & New Technology Value with Chris Moon & Seth Burton

Two firefighters' two cents: 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! Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FRST Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ competition...

Jan 25, 202413 min

Episode 195: Tech Talks: The Rolfson Father-Daughter Duo on Innovation & Opportunities with Dale & Abi Rolfson

A father-daughter conversation: 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! Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FRST Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ competitio...

Jan 18, 202421 min

Episode 194: Safety in the Skies: Inside the Texas Public Safety Robotics Summit with Preston Culver

Why attend the Texas Public Safety Robotics Summit? 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! We're taking a quick pause from our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series to share how attending the Texas Public Safety Robotics Summit (March 4-7, 2024) can help you stay updated on the latest technology, training m...

Jan 16, 202441 min

Episode 193: SMART Systems for Saving Lives: A 3D Vision for First Responders with Kirk Mckinzie

How can first responders use mixed reality? 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! Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FRST Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ...

Jan 11, 202423 min

Episode 192: Frontlines of Innovation: Bridging Crisis Management and Healthcare with Ari Rosen

How can technology save lives? 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! Thanks for joining our 16 part FRST Challenge Mini Series recorded at the competition! Tracking and situational awareness has long been a problem for first responders. That's why the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FRST Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ competition is ...

Jan 09, 202422 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android