FireFusion 2024: Fire Service Technology: "It's Evolution, Not Revolution"

The theme of embracing technology continued for FireFusion 2024 as the keynote speaker, Frank Leeb, managing director for the First Responder Center for Excellence, emphasized that, "It's evolution, not revolution."

The final day of FireFusion 2024 commenced with the Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor being presented to firefighter Petros Mestheneas of the Freeport, NY, Fire Department. 

The situation was a warehouse fire that entrapped two firefighters 57 feet away from the front entrance of the building. The building was soon engulfed with flames, while the two firefighters trapped were running short of air. With no hesitation, Mestheneas went in and located the two firefighters, bringing them together and bringing them out safely.

"The fire was untenable and if he hesitated even for a minute, things would have ended very differently," said Executive Director of Freeport Fire Department, Ray Maguire, who was the incident commander that day.

A very humble Mestheneas took the stage to share a few brief words about his honor: "I was in the right place at the right time. That was it. I'd like to thank everybody," said Mestheneas.

Following the award presentation, Leeb took the stage to present an idea of technology being a forefront to major developments within the fire service. While the emphasis of technology was immense, Leeb continually recognized that there are two parts to implementing new technology: the technology itself, but the people behind the technology.

"We should be looking for technology that gives us a strategic or tactical advantage, that superiority that we must have on the fireground," said Leeb. "But it doesn't happen unless leadership takes the responsibility that they have, and that is to make sure that we keep our eye on the ball that protects the community, protects our people, and we lead the way we're supposed to lead."

The progress behind these new technologies and innovations that are hitting the fire service still require evolution as leaders and as a community. Leeb mentioned that, in the age of innovation, leadership is about forward thinking and looking beyond the horizon in a multitude of ways. To look beyond it for new innovations, new leadership strategies, new technology, but also looking at how to improve the new technology.

"It's about knowing what's over the horizon with technology, whatever the technology, because it's going to fail at some point" said Leeb. It's about evolving as leaders, as a department and as a community, because if we educate the decision makers within our community, and look at what's over the horizon, we are all better off. We are all better informed."

Leeb highlighted some of his personal experiences with how crucial technology is to making the fireground safer and more effective. Leeb shared his expereince with the virtual reality simulator and how realsitic the sitaution was. Having heat vests on to simulate getting closer to the fire, and being on a beam over New York City, coming from Leeb, he got nervous during the simualtions. He added that New York City has pledged that all city vehicles will be electric by 2030, and that solar panels are becoming a critical infrastructure.

"We know that the fires are advancing quickly today than ever before. I don't have more time to process, to do my 360 to make sure I get all the information. What I need is that acceleration of the speed of information to get me what I need. That's the technology we need," said Leeb.

While there may be hesitation and concerns about adopting new technologies and innovations, Leeb wanted to make sure people knew that this is something to be painted in good light. The new wave is something to embrace. It will make things safer, more efficient and better. It's an evolution, not a revolution.