By FireRescue1 Staff
Artificial intelligence may have been the tech tool on everyone’s radar in 2024, but the chasm between simply creating a ChatGPT account and actually implementing an AI plan at your fire department is as big as the Grand Canyon. Do you have plans to close the gap?
Of course, AI is just one of many tech tools popping up all around us nearly every day. What technology are you hoping or planning to use in the new year, whether for personal or professional needs? That was the question posed to FireRescue1 contributors and board members.
Here’s what they had to say. What tech tools do you hope to implement in your personal or professional life? Email the editor to share your experience.
Dr. Sara Jahnke, director and senior scientist, Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research
“I’m actually very excited about the WHOOP band. Several departments I work with have started using them for their personnel to help them monitor and improve their sleep. At the National Development & Research Institutes - USA, we are using them for a study to monitor sleep. They are pretty amazing.”
Tim Sendelbach, fire chief, Loveland (Colorado) Fire Rescue Authority
“LFRA is seeking to include AI technology in our medical physicals. Each year LFRA members participate in an organizational assessment that includes a behavioral health and organizational culture survey. With the assistance of AI technology, the goal is to develop more comprehensive and actionable results for both personnel health and safety and organizational improvement(s).”
➡️ Read more from Chief Sendelbach
Trevor Frodge, bureau chief of training, West Chester (Ohio) Fire Department
“I have a folder on my phone just for job apps, and here are three that all firefighters should have:
- DRR Rescue (Google and iOS): This field guide contains job aids and reminders for technical rescue specialties from high angle rope rescue to structural collapse and everything in between.
- ERG (Google and iOS): This is the digital form of the Emergency Response Guidebook, the same orange book that none of can find in the rig when we need it most.
- Lost Person Behavior (Google and iOS): This app can provide a detailed profile for anyone who has gone missing so that first responders can start a proper search, questionnaire, and field guide.”
➡️ Read more from Chief Frodge
Eric Linnenburger, interim deputy chief of operations, Westminster (Colorado) Fire Department
“Our automatic-aid region has successfully utilized Tablet Command as an incident tracking and accountability tool for several years. It aids in consistency and uniformity for our incident scenes, regardless of jurisdiction. Additionally, we are currently implementing the Genasys emergency management evacuation software as a city. In 2025, we aim to implement Tablet Command’s ‘two-way’ technology. This advancement will streamline the use of multiple software programs and eliminate the need for excessive hardware in the cab. By removing cumbersome MDCs and other distractions, the incident commander can manage all critical functions, from simply marking a rig in service to initiating a full city evacuation, using a single iPad.
Personally, I am also looking to use technology to simplify and declutter. I write a lot by hand, and my notebooks get out of control. I recently started using the reMarkable digital notebook. It feels analog and writes like paper but allows me to organize and file notebooks by project, topic, etc., and review and mark-up documents. It’s designed with minimal distractions to increase focus and has been a game-changer. I plan to upgrade to the newest model and further leverage this device.”
➡️ Read more from Chief Linnenburger
Jason Caughey, fire chief, Laramie County (Wyoming); senior fire advisor, FireRescue1
“Technology is impacting the fire profession more than ever, from AI to record management systems, NERIS, drones and fire robots. For 2025, the fire service will see a significant change in data and how it is collected through NERIS and updated record management systems. I am most excited for how NERIS, record management systems and AI will blend to provide our firefighters and organizations more data to support our incident operations. Our industry is complex, and for decades we have lacked data to support incident operations. With the advancing technology the fire service will have the ability to grow and evolve to better serve our communities and firefighters. The key is to embrace technology and how it can provide the data we need, but not to lose sight on how important our people are to provide service.”
➡️ Read more from Chief Caughey
Billy Goldfeder, deputy chief, Loveland-Symmes (Ohio); senior fire advisor, FireRescue1
“I was in one of our firehouses today chatting with the troops and the conversation came to AI. As I listened more than I talked, I concluded that AI is going to be a huge part of our fire lives in the future. Like the IMMEDIATE future. I am thinking AI will impact everything from 9-1-1/dispatch to community risk reduction to preplanning to training to response to command support and even human resources – AI will be part of it.
The problem I have is I have no idea how it works. Will AI help solve the staffing issues in dispatch? Will it help look at our communities and design perfect prevention, preplanning and training programs to match the response and organizational type? Will it counsel the employee firefighters or guide them better than some officers can? Or will it guide the officers in supporting an employee?
Picture Kramer in “Seinfeld” when his mind is blown. That’s how I feel because everywhere I turn, some are saying, “AI will make it better or improve it,” and I also hear some saying it will bring more harm.
I was talking with my oldest grandson Henry (16) last weekend about this, and he summed up AI for me: “When it comes to human creativity, I am not a fan, but when it comes to using it to better science, engineering, health and technology, I am optimistic.” That smart kid immediately helped me focus and better understand. Whatever AI brings, I do intend to maintain a wide open mind in relation to how it can help us operate on the job.
(I wrote this all by myself – no AI.)
➡️ Read more from Chief Goldfeder
Marc Bashoor, public safety director (ret.), Highlands County, Florida; senior fire advisor, FireRescue1
“It appears inevitable to me that AI will play an increasingly complex role in everything we do. From simple and mundane tasks like writing to complex and detailed manufacturing and analytic algorithms, AI will likely transform many things. In the coming year, I hope to maximize the use of tools AI provides for any number of daily tasks. The bigger challenge, of course, will be to not fall into the trap where more time availability means more time for work.”
➡️ Read more from Chief Bashoor
