Since its start, the fire service has been about effective operations, grit, and teamwork. That’s not going to change.
However, today’s challenges are nothing like those from five years ago, let alone 1736. Fires burn hotter and spread faster, and new hazards like lithium-ion batteries and solar panels demand fresh strategies.
At the same time, we’re seeing this wave of new technology — drones, mapping tools, virtual reality training — that promises to make firefighters safer and faster on the job. That said, there is a hidden challenge because while some new technology solves real problems, some just looks good on paper. We can’t afford to waste time or money chasing shiny objects that don’t work.
The question isn’t whether fire departments should use new technology. It’s how can they make sure the tools they adopt actually help firefighters do their jobs better? That means figuring out what they need, buying it smartly, and training on it quickly enough to put it to use when it counts.
Some of the most effective tools available right now won’t cost you any money — just a little time and effort to learn how to use them. These tools are changing how firefighters respond to emergencies and plan for risks.
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COMMON OPERATING PICTURE (COP) TOOLS
COP tools are government created and funded tools, like the Android Tactical Awareness Kit (ATAK) and the Search and Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP), that provide real-time situational awareness by showing where teams are, what’s happening on the ground, and how resources can be allocated effectively.
Example: The Team Awareness Kit (COTAK) has become a go-to tool for tracking wildfire responses in Colorado. Firefighters use the app to see exactly where their crews are in relation to the fire, ensuring safer evacuations and resource deployment decisions. During Hurricane Ian, SARCOP was used by search and rescue teams to mark completed searches and share updates in real time, which helped avoid duplication and saved precious time in chaotic conditions.
Why It Matters: Tools like ATAK and SARCOP allow teams to work smarter by giving them a clear picture of the scene, helping incident commanders (ICS) make better decisions on the fly and keeping responders safer in the process. By eliminating guesswork and improving coordination, these tools help keep firefighters safer and get the job done faster—especially when seconds matter.
COMMUNITY RISK ASSESSMENT TOOLS
CRAIG 1300, created by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), helps fire departments use data to pinpoint risks and reduce emergencies before they happen—all at no cost to departments. These tools turn data into actionable strategies, allowing teams to focus their efforts where they matter most.
Example: At South County (WA)
Fire, Jennye Cooper used CRAIG 1300’s dashboard to guide her team’s COVID- 19 response, targeting testing efforts toward vulnerable populations. Similarly, Lieutenant Chris Collins leveraged CRAIG 1300 in St. Albans, West Virginia, to launch a carbon monoxide alarm campaign that reduced deaths and gained community support. What started as a small effort became a state-leading prevention model, earning recognition from city leaders and even a department budget increase.
Why It Matters: CRAIG 1300 is free, is easy to use, and produces actual results. By addressing risks before they become emergencies, departments protect lives, reduce call volumes, and build stronger community relationships. This kind of proactive, data-driven approach turns prevention into measurable success.
The bottom line is that free tools like these are ready to go right now. With a few late nights of research and effort from your department, they can make a real difference in operations. While free tools can make an immediate difference, some of the most promising solutions require an investment but deliver significant returns in safety and efficiency.
1 Trainers at Red Rocks Community College guide students through simulated fire training scenarios. (Photos by author unless otherwise noted.)
THE RISE OF EMERGING TECH
Drones and virtual reality (VR) training are two examples of new technology that have gained traction in recent years and are offering exciting possibilities.
Drones are being used to provide live aerial views of emergency scenes, giving firefighters a critical advantage in assessing situations before they even arrive.
Example: The Fremont, California, Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program is a joint effort between the fire and police departments. A drone is immediately dispatched to the scene when a call comes in. During a recent flood, drones provided real-time images that helped crews locate stranded residents and assess damage, speeding up response times. In structure hazmat scenarios, drones with sensors can gain operational insights into the interior, giving ICs critical information before ground crews enter.
Why It Matters: Drones reduce guesswork, giving ICs critical insights that improve decision making and keep crews out of unnecessary danger. Faster information means safer outcomes—not just for firefighters but for the communities we serve.
VR allows firefighters to train in realistic scenarios without the risks or costs of live burns. It’s giving departments a way to increase training reps while keeping crews safe and reducing the burden on equipment. While not every department can adopt VR right away because of costs, those that do are finding it bridges the gap between training and reality, building muscle memory for high stakes situations.
Example: At Red Rocks Community College (Lakewood, Colorado), recruits are put through immersive VR simulations that mimic real-world fire conditions. Trainees practice hose management, navigation in smoke-filled environments, and situational decision making, all in a safe setting. The VR system even simulates the heat and disorientation of a real fire, preparing recruits for the mental and physical demands of the job.
Why It Matters: With VR, firefighters can practice dangerous scenarios without putting lives or resources at risk. This means more repetitions, better preparation, and safer operations when they face real fires. For departments already using it, VR is helping to close the gap between training and reality.
Emerging technologies like drones and VR aren’t just toys anymore—they’re tools that can help firefighters work faster, smarter, and safer. But, like anything else, they require careful planning, training, and a commitment to making them part of the team’s everyday operations.
These free and paid technologies are now proven to deliver tangible outcomes, but we are still just scratching the surface.
2 A remote dock launches a drone atop a fire department rooftop demonstration in Boston, Massachusetts.
OVERCOMING THE REAL OBSTACLES
Adopting new technology isn’t as simple as buying the latest gadget. There are two significant hurdles we need to tackle: knowing what to buy and training and adoption. With so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why departments need to ask the right questions:
- Does this tool solve a real problem?
- Will it fit into the way we work?
- Is it something we can actually use in the field?
Take Palmetto County (SC) Fire Rescue as an example. When it needed a new inventory management system, personnel didn’t just grab the first product they saw at a trade show. Instead, they used a structured solution comparison process. Here’s what they did:
- They outlined their specific needs, like tracking equipment across vehicles and managing uniforms.
- They tested multiple products during a trial period to see how well they actually worked.
- They assigned points to each product based on critical features, like ease of use, compatibility with existing systems, and security functions like barcoding.
3 An interactive map helps share tactical situational awareness across teams. (Photo courtesy of Alex Gorsuch.)
This isn’t rocket science—it’s just doing the homework. By asking the right questions and testing the tools, Palmetto County set itself up for success while respecting its responsibility to use taxpayer dollars wisely.
Buying the right tool is just the start. The more significant challenge is ensuring your team knows how to use it. And, let’s be honest: This is where a lot of tech adoption falls apart. If it takes months (or years) to get everyone trained, the tool just sits there gathering dust.
The faster departments can integrate new tools into their training protocols, the faster they’ll see the benefits on the fireground. That means building the training into daily operations, not treating it as a one-time event. Departments must be thoughtful about training and implementation, which is an ongoing process across the fire service and industry partners.
4 Attendees were using the CRAIG 1300 and SARCOP tools at Technology Summit International 2024, exploring ways to synthesize data and deploy them for new operational insights for better decision making.
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN FIREFIGHTERS AND INDUSTRY
Firefighters don’t need sales pitch- es—they need solutions. The best way to make that happen is for fire departments and industry to talk more. Virtual meetings, statewide events, and industry groups make connecting easy without wasting time or money. These forums let departments share what works, push for improvements, and communicate with companies exactly what firefighters need to succeed.
Free tools and templates from organizations like the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Tech Council, the Center for Public Safety Excellence, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the North American Fire Training Directors, and the NFPA are already available to help departments get started. Forums like the IAFC Technology Summit International focus on hands-on workshops and two-way dialogue, while FDIC International 2025 is expanding its technology showcases to give firefighters more opportunities to explore and experience tools firsthand. These events can help your department find the next steps to embrace new technology.
If you don’t know where to start, contact me—I’ll point you in the right direction. And remember, if your neighbor’s department has figured out a system that works, copy it. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when the fire service can grow and improve together.
There’s a lot of untapped blue ocean opportunities in 2025. Whether it’s piloting a new tool or joining a new learning forum, you must first leave the harbor.
CAN’T SIT ON THE SIDELINES
The saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results,” is often attributed to Albert Einstein. For the fire service, this couldn’t hit closer to home. It can’t rely on outdated tools and methods and expect to handle the growing challenges it faces. Fires are changing. Hazards are evolving. And so must the fire service.
The fire service doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. It’s about being honest about what works, fixing what doesn’t, and using the right tools. The tools and resources are already here, waiting to be used. Sure, learning a free tool might take a few late nights, and giving constructive feedback to a manufacturer might force firefighters to be a bit nicer, but those efforts are investments in safety, efficiency, and success.
Movements like the United States Fire Administration’s #FireServiceOneVoice have built momentum by encouraging collaboration across departments, agencies, and industry. The fire service can’t let that momentum fade. The fire service has always adapted to meet new challenges, and today is no different. It will tackle whatever comes next with courage, collaboration, and the right tools.
KEVIN SOFEN is a leading strategist and innovator in emergency response technologies, committed to elevating public safety via technological advancements in fire, rescue, and EMS operations. He hosts and founded the SMART Firefighting Podcast, a platform for dialogs on tech-driven firefighting, hosting experts and frontline professionals.
