by
Carly Zoerb
| 11/20/2024
SmartTech, Robotics, & the Future of Responder Health: What’s New At TSI?
Justin Lemery, Tulsa, Oklahoma EMS - Benefits of attending TSI
Summarizing a conference like the IAFC’s Technology Summit International (TSI) is no easy feat. Our modern lives revolve around technology – and the fire and emergency service is built on it.
At the same time, technology is a broad term that can mean many different things. TSI reflects the current state of tech in the emergency service industry, so naturally, the event looks different from year to year.
TSI 2024 will focus on recent developments in several cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, remote tech such as robotics and drones, first responder health & safety tools, and much more. Of course, there’s more to tech than the tech itself. This year’s conference will feature discussions on ethical innovation, the balance between individual privacy vs. public safety, sustainability, and the accessibility of modern technology for departments in all areas of the U.S., Canada, and beyond.
This blog series will explore the key features of #TSI2024, offering you a comprehensive “first look” at the conference and offering insight on what you can expect during your time in Oklahoma City. You can read the series as a single article or select one of the sub-topics from the following list (updated regularly):
- #TSI2024 Speakers – Industry Leaders, Innovators, and Key Players Share The Stage At This Year’s Conference
- TSI 2024: Topics, Themes, & Points of Interest For the Tech-Savvy Leader
- Your First Look At the Future of Fire & EMS: Meet the Sponsors of #TSI2024
- Meet the Exhibitors
#TSI2024 Speakers – Industry Leaders, Innovators, and Key Players Share the Stage at This Year’s Conference
Like most of our annual conferences, each day of TSI begins with a General Session. This conference also includes two afternoon General Sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.
These opening events bring together the core themes and values embodied by the event. From subject matter experts to government administrators, the TSI General Session stage is a meeting point for some of the most powerful voices in fire & EMS technology. Here is a quick overview of who you can expect to see at this year’s sessions.
The Wednesday, December 4 opening session will begin with remarks from our gracious hosts, delivered by Oklahoma City Fire Chief Richard Kelley.
The conference will then officially kick off with an introduction from Chief Dan Munsey of the San Bernadino Fire District, Division Chief and AI expert Scott Roseberry of the Garland, TX Fire Department, and Deputy Chief (ret.) Jeff Dulin, the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Strategic Advisor and manager of all IAFC Technology Research Projects. Attendees will get a comprehensive look at this year’s unique conference and its major themes, which center around the “United Nations Conference” concept of integration, collaboration, and dialogue as key drivers of long-term change within the fire and emergency service.
After this introduction, the stage will be given over to our TSI premier sponsor, IDEX Fire & Safety (more details forthcoming).
The next item will be a presentation on the future of the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), delivered by U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell. Dr. Moore-Merrell will introduce the audience to the principles behind NERIS and explore the vital role data will play in the collective future of our fire and emergency service. Recent innovations in data capture and analysis will be highlighted, and attendees will learn how to utilize NERIS effectively within their departments.
The morning’s event will close with an open Q&A session.
Wednesday’s second general session will take place between 1:25 and 3:10 PM. The session will open with a Shark Tank Pitch hosted by Chiefs Tom Jenkins (ret.) and David Povlitz. Presenters will introduce their startup pitches to the Chiefs and engage in industry-centered conversations about their ideas, plans, and the potential for their concepts to succeed within the fire and emergency service.
The Shark Tank will be followed by a dual presentation by U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and Chad L. Council of MIT’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Systems Group. This joint session will explore the impact of climate change on first responders. This event will be moderated by W.S. Darley & Company’s Director of Innovation, Kevin Sofen.
The Wednesday afternoon session will close with the First Responders Solving Real Problems with Technology Innovations Award. This award is a unique, audience-led initiative that will feature short presentations from six first responders on the ways they are leveraging current technology within their departments and communities. After each responder has given their presentation, attendees will vote to determine which of them will receive the TSI Innovation Award.
The Thursday, December 5th opening General Session will be introduced by the IAFC President and Board Chair, Chief Josh Waldo. These remarks will be followed by a presentation from Garry Briese on barriers to innovation within the fire and emergency services. This presentation will explore how self-imposed policies and regulations hinder the adoption of innovative technology by fire and EMS departments.
Following this will be an open session on the technological needs of the fire service titled “First Net: We’re Not Done Yet.” First responders will take the stage and share their needs, experiences, pain points, and challenges with important stakeholders from the industry. This is a chance for the service to make its voice heard by the people who can answer it.
The session will close with a talk on critical human decision making and its connection to AI development. This conversation will explore the parallels between the ways flesh-and-blood people make decisions and the way artificial intelligence, both now and in future, might reflect these tendencies – for better or worse.
Thursday’s afternoon General Session will open with a panel discussion around change adoption and innovation management within the U.S. fire service. Former IAFC President and current board member Chief John Butler will moderate the panel, which will be comprised of three Chiefs from diverse regions of the U.S.A.
A second, two-person panel will follow up on this topic, this time moderated by IDEX’s Jason Cerrano.
Next onstage will be Stefan Truthän, formerly the Chief Organizational Architect of the Berlin Fire & Rescue Service in Germany. He is a dedicated expert in and advocate for technology adoption by public safety agencies, both within and beyond his home country's borders. Truthän will explore the concept of tech-driven innovation within the global fire service, giving attendees a truly international perspective on the potential of new life-saving technologies for first responders.
IDEX will then host a “Fit Talk" (more details to come).
The session will close with a presentation by Lt. Colonel Dr. Essa Almutawa of the Dubai Civil Defense (DCD). The Lt. Colonel will be speaking on the topic of artificial intelligence in fire safety – its potential, risks, benefits, and current use within the United Arab Emirates. In addition to his experience as a public safety official, Lt. Colonel Almutawa is an expert in security and regulatory development. His perspective offers valuable insight into the ways in which the adoption of cutting-edge technology like AI is managed within a landscape of diverse private, national, and global interests.
TSI’s closing General Session will take place on Friday, December 6. This will be a jam-packed session filled with speakers and presenters from all over the world, starting with a talk on the adoption of drones by Mexico’s fire service. This presentation will be led by Chief Fernando Palacios of the Queretaro Fire Department (Queretaro de Arteaga, Mexico).
Another presentation on drones, this time led by Mr. Michael O'Shea of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office, will follow and provide a U.S. based perspective on the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in public safety. The insights provided by these two speakers will offer attendees a more diverse and nuanced look at the current use and future potential of drones within the global fire service, including their risks, benefits, and barriers to adoption.
The subject of drones will again be featured in the third presentation, this time through the lens of artificial intelligence applications. Terese Manley, UAS Portfolio Lead at Colorado’s NIST Public Safety Communications Research Division, will give the audience an in-depth look at the ways in which AI-powered applications are being integrated aboard the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems used by public safety agencies in the U.S. and beyond. She will present several of the NIST Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) Division’s ongoing projects in this area, which include research on image-detection, real-time 3D mapping, AI-assisted situational awareness, and more.
Following this, MIT’s Chad Council will again take the stage and present on his institute’s research into Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Systems. Through his and his colleague’s work at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, Mr. Council has gained a uniquely nuanced perspective on the intersections between human critical thinking, systems analysis, and technology within the public safety sphere. The Lincoln Lab has been responsible for many ground-breaking innovations in wildfire mitigation, incident management, and interagency coordination during large-scale disasters.
The session’s fourth speaker will be Section Chief Chad Beam of SC State Fire, who is both an experienced member of South Carolina’s fire and emergency service and a respected expert in Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Section Chief Beam will be presenting some of the recent insights gained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Search and Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP). The success of this platform has been a game-changer for search and rescue personnel, and the audience will be led through real-world examples of the system’s performance as an on-scene tool.
Other Speakers
General Sessions aren’t the only place to find incredible speakers, presenters, and SMEs at TSI. The conference will be full of opportunities to learn, listen, and engage with fellow industry and fire service leaders.
The following overview will give you a quick look at the who, where, when, and what of these opportunities, but make sure you check the regularly updated conference schedule to get the full list.
Wednesday, December 4
Several smaller, concurrent presentations will take place between the two Wednesday General Sessions. These will begin at 11:10 AM and continue until 12:25 PM.
For those interested in the future of Incident Reporting and its impact on data analysis within the fire service, there will be a presentation by Tom Jenkins, the UL Fire Safety Research Institute’s Senior Advisor/Research Manager and one of the nation’s foremost experts in the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).
Chief Dustin Morrow and Division Chief Chad Crouse will host an interactive session on Next Generation 911 (NG911). Attendees will be invited to discuss and share their perspectives on the fire and emergency service’s transition from older dispatch systems to new, multi-platform channels that provide multiple ways for the public to communicate with emergency responders.
Mike Cox, Esri’s Director of Fire and EMS Solutions, will join Asst. Chief Karl Kuhlman for a presentation on information management, enhanced decision making, and tech-assisted situational awareness within the fire and emergency service. These and several other themes will be explored through the lens of FEMA’s groundbreaking Search and Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP).
Chiefs Mark Novak and Erik Litzenberg will host a roundtable on response technology in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), and attendees are invited not only to attend but also actively participate in the session’s discussion. The goal of this roundtable is to utilize recent case studies to identify gaps in planning, risk reduction, and incident management and to collaborate on potential tech-based solutions to these challenges.
Following the Wednesday afternoon General Session and Networking Break, there will be additional concurrent sessions on topics related to AI technology, drone implementation, and Common Operating Pictures (COPs). These events will feature speakers such as AI expert and Division Chief Scott Roseberry, Tablet Command’s CEO and co-founder Will Pigeon, and a panel of four drone experts moderated by Battalion Chief Bobby Ortiz of Liberty Hill, Texas.
A fourth session will be led by Asst. Chief (ret.) Eddie Buchanan, Deccan International’s Business Development Manager, and Dr. Kate Kapalo of the Stevens Institute of Technology. They will share their expertise and perspectives on effective data use, providing fire and EMS leaders with actionable insights on how to turn raw data into tangible outcomes.
Thursday, December 5
After Thursday’s morning General Session, conference-goers are invited to attend several 11AM - 12:15PM sessions.
Explore the future of wearable tech in the fire service with Captain Mike Binney, a bioethics expert and Yale teaching fellow who researches the biometric impacts of shiftwork on firefighters in the U.S. Or, if station design and quality-of-life (QOL) technology are more aligned with your interests, you can join immediate IAFF past president and firefighter health advocate Captain Ron Kuley for his session on “Fire Station Technology for the 21st Century.”
Looking to improve your department’s current tech strategies? Join Division Chief Cory Claborn, Captain (ret.) Kirk McKinzie of MCKINZIE SMART TECHNOLOGIES LLC, Early Fire Alert CEO and co-founder Shanya Gill, and Division Chief Scott Roseberry for a peer-led session on the effective utilization of existing technology by fire service professionals.
For those with an interest in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), there will be a Tech Council session led by Battalion Chief Bobby Ortiz, Division Chief Greg Capanella, robotics emergency deployment (RED) expert and Austin firefighter Jason L. Burnside, IAFF/IAFC Robotics Workgroup Chair Coitt R. Kessler, and Jeff Buchanan, Associate Director of Market Strategy and Development at FirstNet Built with AT&T. Their combined expertise offers a unique opportunity for fire and EMS leaders to learn about UAVs from all angles.
Following the afternoon General Session and Networking Break, there will be sessions hosted by SMEs in public purchasing, risk data, firefighter safety, and EMS technology. Speakers will include numerous fire service leaders as well as representatives from ESO Solutions, Esri, the NFPA, the NFFF, First Responder Network Authority, IDEX Fire & Safety, and more. Collaborate with peers and industry stakeholders as they tackle some of fire & EMS’s most pressing tech-based challenges – your contributions play a vital role in the future of public safety, both in the U.S.A and abroad.
For more information on Technology Summit International 2024’s session speakers and presenters, visit the conferences official website.
#TSI2024: Topics, Themes, & Points of Interest for the Tech-Savvy Leader
The International Association of Fire Chiefs went by a different name in 1873 – we were the National Association of Fire Engineers. This was the title early firefighters went by, as their role was inextricably linked to the technology that supported it. From quick-hitches for horse-drawn engines to the advent of electric trucks and unmanned drones, the IAFC has seen it all. Many of our members have been inventors, public safety engineers, start-up founders, and experts in technology from every corner of the industry.
At the same time, tradition is at the core of firefighter culture, and there is often a pronounced resistance to change within specific departments and among leadership. As the 21st century brings increasingly revolutionary technology to the forefront of our lives, this apparent contradiction has been a major topic of discussion in the fire and EMS world.
The overall picture that emerges from these apparent contradictions shows a fire service that has, since its inception, occupied a unique role in the world of technology and innovation. We are both its champions and its voices of temperance.
The Technology Summit International conference reflects this role. On a tangible level, it offers a place for fire and EMS leaders to view and engage with the technology that’s changing their day-to-day operations from the ground up. But TSI goes far beyond that. The conference is a meeting place for dialogue, idea-sharing, questions, and problem-solving. It’s often the intangible elements that truly determine what the future will look like. And as more countries develop their own dedicated fire and emergency response agencies, that future has become increasingly global.
So, what does our future look like in 2024 and beyond? As session speakers are announced and presentations scheduled, TSI 2024’s major trends, themes, and defining conversations have brought that question to life.
Embracing the Human Element – People-First Innovation & The Role of Leadership in Fire and Health Technology
How does the adage go? “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force it to invest a significant portion of its budget in that water?” Something like that.
As groundbreaking as modern technology can be, and as rapidly as it seems to move in today’s hyper-speed world, none of it matters unless the people it is built for decide to adopt it. Human beings are the ones entrusting their lives to fire and EMS technology, whether they are firefighters, paramedics, or a civilian in need of help. Fire chiefs still call the shots when it comes to budget allocation or resource management, and although certain probes might be surprised to hear it, those chiefs are also human beings.
This human element will be a major theme at #TSI2024. Ideas about the role of decision-making critical thinking, personal responsibility, and individual bias in the development and adoption of technology feature heavily in the conference’s scheduled session lineup.
Specific technologies frequently occupy a secondary place in much of the proposed dialogue. How do flesh-and-blood firefighters experience this technology? Which data truly makes a difference for the average division or battalion chief? How do members of the public view the use of AI-powered applications by first responders, and how comfortable are those same first responders with the idea of using unmanned operating systems such as drones? Can the need for fiscal responsibility within the fire and emergency service be balanced with the desire to adopt better, more efficient technologies?
These are the kinds of questions many of this year’s speakers, presenters, and panelists are hoping to answer. They are also a direct reflection of the most prevalent concerns and considerations expressed by current fire and emergency personnel. As tech becomes increasingly hands-off, the human element will only grow in importance.
The reason is simple: at the end of the day, the job of first responders is not to innovate or test out the ideas developed in labs. It is to save lives. When it comes to fire and EMS leaders, the stakes are even higher – their first and primary mission is to protect the men and women who do that job day in and day out. TSI gives the industry that serves these personnel a chance to engage with their reality face-to-face and voice-to-voice.
Engaging the Non-Human Element – The Growing Role of AI, UAVs, and Robotics In Global Fire & EMS
One of the biggest overall trends in safety technology has been the advent of self-operating systems. Machines and programs are becoming increasingly independent, requiring fewer or even no human operators to function.
Artificial intelligence is a prime example of this trend. Developers are seeking to offload the human decision-making process, or at least parts of it, onto software that is designed to optimize outcomes and make processes vastly more efficient. This concept sits uneasily with some responders, which is understandable considering what is at stake. Can we really trust AI to make the right choices every time, or will the loss of direct human intervention in certain areas lead to disastrous mistakes that could have been prevented?
Many of the AI conversations at TSI 2024 will touch on themes of balance, coordination, and transparency. The radical potential of AI within fire and EMS applications will be tempered by the field’s demands for caution and adherence to the ethical principles that define the service. Industry stakeholders will have the chance to reassure leaders of their commitment to these themes and principles. The goal of AI will be to assist and improve the inherently human work of saving lives – not replace it.
Similar conversations have been forming around the concept of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles, otherwise known as drones. Many sessions and presentations on drones have been scheduled, with the focus being on the specific roles drones can occupy alongside fire and EMS personnel, their limitations, and concerns about the regulation of these increasingly common aircraft in public spaces.
Successful case studies and data surrounding the use of UAVs will be a major feature of these sessions. Through them, attendees and speakers have expressed a desire to paint a fuller picture of how and where these devices fit into their operations.
Less controversial is the subject of robotics in fire, EMS, and search and rescue operations. While specific sessions on this topic are not a major feature of the TSI 2024 schedule, the list of exhibitors reflects a clear trend: robotics technology is becoming more available, more advanced, and of greater interest to fire service leaders than ever before. The concerns here are less about unknowns and more about the protection of our workforce. As with AI and drones, service leaders have approached remote-operated devices with an eye for collaboration rather than replacement.
Running through these subjects is the issue of data – its use, collection, and place in the decision–making process of personnel. When data is used, collected, and integrated with tech like AI or UAVs, where do the rights of human individuals come into play? Of equal concern is the sheer amount of data fire and emergency service leaders are faced with. How can they approach data effectively and use it productively in their operations? While drones collect reams of visual and situational data, AI processes and analyzes it. Where do human personnel come into this picture? Where should they come in?
Machines and software are doing more for the average person than ever before. At this year’s TSI conference, many fire and emergency service leaders will be looking for clarity on where the line between human-directed and non-human-directed operations is being drawn.
Innovative Leadership – How Leaders Define the Future of Fire & EMS Technology (For Better or For Worse)
Underlying all the other topics that will define #TSI2024 is the all-encompassing subject at the heart of the IAFC mission: leadership. Technology is a tool, and tools require hands to wield if they are to have any significance.
Chiefs, agency heads, and officers of every rank represent those hands, and it’s their ability to lead effectively that will decide what and how technology will play a role in the future of the fire and emergency service. This conference is a place where those leaders can gather and learn together, meeting with experts and defining their tech priorities from the ground up. As with the other subjects explored in this summary, this topic is defined by the tech-based questions fire and EMS leaders have been asking over the past year.
How can chiefs and officers identify worthwhile investments versus potential budget-wasters when planning their technological strategies? When is it time to push the envelope and adopt brand-new technologies, and when is it time to hold back and let the market test these innovations further? What roles do leaders play in promoting, adopting, and improving the technology used by their departments, and how can they adapt these roles to their own unique leadership style?
Navigating a crowded apparatus and equipment market is no easy task, and many chiefs and officers are simply overwhelmed by the available options (and competing interests) that come into play when navigating this complicated landscape. Several of the presentations, panels, and workshops at this year’s TSI will center on the interpersonal and decision-making processes that come into play when choosing how to innovate as a fire or EMS leader. The goal of these sessions is not to teach leaders what innovations to choose but rather how to choose, promote, and utilize them effectively.
Potential pitfalls and barriers will also be explored at length during these discussions, and attendees will be given the space to consider these challenges through a collaborative, service-wide perspective. The importance of establishing a collective framework for technology development, testing, and adoption – rather than one based on individual decision-makers – will be explored through specific case studies and testimonies from peer leaders within the service.
Leaders represent the intersection between the human and non-human elements of technology within fire & EMS, and the aim of #TSI2024 is to prepare those leaders for their dual role as the voices of caution and innovation alike.
Your First Look at the Future of Fire & EMS: Meet the Exhibitors and Sponsors of #TSI2024
From fire tech giants to small, independent businesses, the exhibitors at TSI represent every corner of the fire and safety technology industry. The main exhibit hall is part networking event, and part testing ground. Attendees are encouraged to plan and tailor their experience to the specific needs, concerns, and interests that define their current roles.
In addition to exhibitors, #TSI2024 is built around the dedicated sponsors who make this event possible. They are the engines behind many of our most popular sessions and presentations – with their help, the IAFC has been able to grow TSI into one of North America’s premier fire and EMS conferences.
The focus of this year’s summit is collaborative innovation, and that theme is also the foundation on which the entire five-day conference and preconference schedule has been built. Let’s get to know the names behind 2024’s Technology Summit International.
Meet the Sponsors
There are many different sponsor categories for TSI. Some are exclusive and only include one sponsor, while others are shared. Each category confers its own role, with each sponsor or partner occupying a unique place in the conference’s overall mission.
#TSI2024 Global Partner: IDEX Fire & Safety
IDEX Fire & Safety is a collection of brands that serve the fire and emergency services. Their portfolio includes major players in the software, apparatus, personal equipment, scene management, and water systems fields. In line with the company’s mission to “engineer the future of fire,” IDEX Fire & Safety is also an industry leader in research and development.
With their global reputation and responder-led approach to innovation, IDEX makes a fitting Global Partner for this year’s TSI.
Supporting Leadership Partner: FirstNet Authority
If the future of emergency communications has a face, that face is the FirstNet Authority.
Following a 2012 Congressional mandate, the FirstNet Authority was established as an independent agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Its aim is simple – to establish and maintain a broadband network exclusive to emergency responders. Working closely with AT&T, the agency has brought together subject matter experts and stakeholders from across the public and private spheres. Together, they have and will continue to revolutionize the way emergency communications take place in the U.S.
Leadership: Inttera
To command effectively, leaders need information. Inttera takes that principle to the next level by providing integrated tools that combine solutions in areas such as response planning, scene mapping, data allocation, incident command, asset management, post-incident analysis, and more.
By working directly with first responders, Inttera has been able to develop software that addresses every level and nuance of emergency response from the perspective of the front-line personnel who carry it out. The result is a comprehensive suite of applications that are intuitive, efficient, and easy to integrate into existing systems and frameworks. These foundational themes made Inttera an obvious choice for this year’s TSI Leadership partner.
TSI Premier Media Partner: FireRescue1
For many years, FireRescue1 has been at the forefront of fire and EMS news, thought leadership, investigative journalism, and information-sharing. As our premier media partner, they have informed our membership and provided our association with a strong voice on the issues that matter most to first responders.
At TSI, FireRescue1 will provide event coverage and more alongside our own team of writers, photographers, and experts. We hope you'll take the time to stop by and speak with them about the topics you care about most in your field!
Meet the Exhibitors
The first walkthrough of TSI’s extensive exhibit hall is an experience in and of itself. Technology Summit International is a uniquely hands-on conference whose exhibitors encourage attendees to not only learn about but interact with the products, services, and solutions they have on offer.
We suggest guests familiarize themselves with the exhibitor list before attending the conference. To get the most out of this experience, plan your time around the priorities and interests that brought you to TSI 2024 – there is truly something for everyone in this year’s lineup.
Applications & Software
- FirstDue
- InspectionReportsOnline (IROL)
- Batt3 with Zebra Technologies
- Tablet Command
- Stationwise
- Siemens
- PulsePoint Foundation
- Darkhorse Emergency
- BRYCER (The Compliance Engine)
- Deccan International
- Rescunomics
- Vector Solutions
Products & Procurement
- NCSA Cooperative Purchasing Programs
- Filium
- Milliken & Company
- IDEX Fire & Safety
- Sourcewell
- Toughbook (Panasonic Connect of North America)
On-Scene Technology
- Paradigm Robotics
- BurnBot, Inc
- Ascent Integrated Tech
Training & Personnel
- Fire Engineering Training
- Essential Personnel
- Catapult Design Studios
- APS Firehouse Alerting
- Columbia Southern University
Communications
- PEAKE
- EaseAlert
- Westnet
- RadioMobile
- FirstNet Authority
- FirstNet Built with AT&T
- Tenzinga
- OnStar
Logistics & Data Management
- EPR FireWorks
- Flash Inspector
- Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI)
- Bradshaw Consulting Services, Inc. (BCS)
- Advanced Fire Data
- Fireline Tech
- ESO
- Esri
- Inttera
- Paradigm Traffic Systems
- ImageTrend
Nonprofits & Service Organizations
- Firefighter Cancer Foundation, Inc.
- National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
- F.I.E.R.O. (Fire Industry Education Resource Organization)