The International Association of Fire Chief's Technology Council will host its inaugural Technology Summit International in Irving, Texas, from October 17 to October 20. This event has been on my priority list, and I look forward to hearing the program's compelling presentations. Beyond the line-up of great speakers, several vendors will be exhibiting exciting innovations that pave the way to the future.
The TSI is an important event because it focuses on an increasingly important aspect of fire service operations: how advances in communications, cloud computing, and data analytics drive improvements in service delivery and mission safety. To be sure, the IAFC Fire Rescue International conference and the terrific FDIC event include technology elements. But those events focus more on leadership issues, administration, vehicles, attack strategy, and operational tactics. Technology evolution is addressed but often lost in the busy agendas from the top-of-mind topics.
Fire Rescue Visionaries
At this year's IAFC Technology Summit International, attendees will benefit from the perspectives delivered by some of the great visionaries of our time. Examples include:
Jeff Johnson and Dave Blankinship from Western Fire Chiefs, an organization that helps drive progress by leveraging data to manage massive incident responses following wildfire or disaster,
Kirk McKinzie, who has pushed the envelope for the "art of the possible" to explore how advanced technologies such as 3D+ Virtual/Mixed/Augmented Reality, artificial intelligence, and holographic light display can deliver value for frontline public safety workers and the communities they serve,
Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, now the U.S. fire administrator and one of the foremost experts on community risk assessment and data science/analytics,
John Oates, who now heads the International Public Safety Data Institute following Dr. Moore-Merrell's appointment to USFA and continues to develop IPSDI as the nation's premier research house on public safety analytics,
Stefan Truthaen, the German visionary behind hhpberlin who strives to evolve technology that boosts safety and fire protection in a Smart City context,
A Broad-based Exhibition
In addition to these compelling thought leaders, a broad vendor community will speak and exhibit at the Technology Summit. Some significant contributors speaking at the event include companies such as Amazon, ESRI, FirstDue, FirstNet Authority, Intterra, Microsoft, Tablet Command, and Tesla.
The exhibition stands are also tremendous. As I expand my research on situational awareness and digital command tools, I am eager to visit companies such as 3AM Innovations, Adashi Systems, AXON, Dejero, ESRI, First Due, Hypha, Intterra, Panasonic Connect, Responder360, and Tablet Command. But there are many other exciting suppliers in the line-up as well.
Stand-out State and Local Presentations
Two state and local government presentations at the top of my "must hear" list are from CalOES and San Antonio Fire Department. CalOES Fire Rescue Chief Brian Marshall will describe Next-Generation Scout, California's ambitious effort to create a common operating picture (COP) enabling state-wide information sharing on natural disasters between agencies and responding resources. My early peek at the functionality inspired me: this capability must be embraced nationwide.
San Antonio has re-imagined 9-1-1 medical call processing with rich video. At Fire Rescue International, I saw the demonstrations delivered by San Antonio Fire Department Paramedics who staff the 9-1-1 call center. You need to hear what these innovators have accomplished to improve system delivery.
See You There!
I am so impressed with the thought and energy that has made the IAFC TSI a valuable forum for exchanging information, experience, and insight. Chief Dan Munsey, Chief Roseberry, and other organizers have put in motion an event that is not to be missed. It will be a great week, and I hope to see you there.
For more information, go to the Summit's website for the agenda and registration details.