Jun 6, 2025
The Future is Connected: Inside the Digital Fireground
Recent fire seasons have exposed the limits of legacy systems and accelerated a global shift—from reactive response to intelligence-led firefighting. Agencies are no longer focused solely on coordination and control; they're embracing platforms that anticipate risk, surface insights, and support confident decision-making under pressure.
Read more
Some of the most transformative changes, however, aren’t confined to control rooms—they’re reaching the fireground itself. While AI models and predictive systems still operate behind the scenes, it’s the integration of sensors, connected vehicles, wearable tech, and unmanned ground and aerial assets that is reshaping how—and where—those decisions are made. The frontline is evolving into what we call the digital fireground.
The most exciting part? We’re just getting started.
The fire truck of the future is already here—and it’s doing far more than transporting firefighters and water. Today’s trucks are equipped with IoT sensors that monitor water and fuel levels, capture live weather data from the firefront, and provide high-speed satellite internet to keep communities connected during disasters.
These trucks aren’t just operational assets—they’re rolling data centres, building a richer, more connected picture of the fireground. Add crew and equipment trackers, 360-degree cameras, and tethered drones capable of real-time mapping, and the message is clear: the frontline is no longer disconnected from the digital ecosystem.
And just beyond the horizon? Autonomous aircraft, computer vision systems that supports structural damage assessments mid-incident, and AI systems that can process years of incident data in seconds to inform decisions on the fly.
These aren’t abstract concepts—we’re already prototyping many of them. Tools like Claude Code and BigQuery are enabling developers and analysts to rapidly explore innovative features built on decades of historical data. The intelligence layer that once seemed unimaginable is now both accessible and actionable.
Take Rain Aero and & Sikorsky’s 10-ton autonomous wildland firefighting drone as an example. Built on the UH-60 Black Hawk airframe it has been reimagined as a low-risk suppression platform. Crucially, its development is being shaped by the lived experience of seasoned firefighting professionals, whose insights are directly informing how the system approaches, attacks, and navigates fires. By removing people from harm’s way while extending operational reach, it exemplifies how frontline expertise and autonomous technology can combine to transform fireground safety and outcomes.
On a more intimate, yet equally transformative scale, C-THRU by Qwake Technologies is redefining visibility for low-visibility, high-risk environments. By combining augmented reality and AI-powered computer vision, it gives firefighters a real-time view through smoke and darkness, projecting building layouts and heat signatures directly into their field of view. It’s effectively night vision for the fireground - reducing disorientation, accelerating decisions, and increasing safety in high-stakes operations. For the first time, Incident Commanders can see what their crews are seeing inside a structure—bridging the communication gap and enabling faster, more coordinated responses.
But with these tools comes a critical responsibility: to connect them.
Intelligence without integration risks creating digital silos, increasing cognitive overload, and potentially endangering lives. An autonomous Black Hawk that can’t communicate with the manned aircraft it’s sharing airspace with—or a firefighter’s helmet feed being used in isolation to guide suppression decisions. In both cases, critical information is disconnected from the bigger picture.
That’s why the goal isn’t to build more gadgets—it’s to build systems that think together, not just work beside each other.
The future fireground won’t be defined by any one platform or sensor, but by the quality of integration between people, machines, and intelligence. And we’re on the right track.
A New Duty of Care
As intelligence becomes more embedded in fire operations, it also reshapes the questions we ask ourselves.
If a fire is predicted, and the risk is known, who is accountable if no action is taken?
If AI surfaces a threat, does that introduce a new responsibility to respond?
How should digital evidence—from live models, decision logs, or drone footage—be considered in post-incident reviews or even legal proceedings?
These are not challenges to be feared—but they are conversations we must have.
As our systems evolve, so too must our frameworks for accountability, transparency, and trust. Fire agencies, communities, courts, and policymakers all have a role to play in defining how these technologies are governed and how their insights are used.
The good news is that by embracing intelligence, we’re not just improving our operational capability—we’re also laying the foundation for clearer communication, stronger accountability, and ultimately, better outcomes for the public.
The Takeaway
This shift is not about replacing people. It’s about enabling them to be even more effective.
As a firefighter, I believe firefighters will always be standing between the community and the crisis.
Intelligence platforms don’t change that. What they offer is support—by reducing uncertainty, providing clarity, and enabling faster, smarter decisions when every second counts.
The fireground is evolving. It’s no longer just physical—it’s digital, dynamic, and increasingly intelligent.
And in that evolution lies immense promise: safer communities, more resilient landscapes, and a fire sector equipped not just to respond—but to anticipate, adapt, and lead.
We’re not just reacting to change—we’re shaping it!
Jun 6, 2025
The Future is Connected: Inside the Digital Fireground
Recent fire seasons have exposed the limits of legacy systems and accelerated a global shift—from reactive response to intelligence-led firefighting. Agencies are no longer focused solely on coordination and control; they're embracing platforms that anticipate risk, surface insights, and support confident decision-making under pressure.
Read more
Some of the most transformative changes, however, aren’t confined to control rooms—they’re reaching the fireground itself. While AI models and predictive systems still operate behind the scenes, it’s the integration of sensors, connected vehicles, wearable tech, and unmanned ground and aerial assets that is reshaping how—and where—those decisions are made. The frontline is evolving into what we call the digital fireground.
The most exciting part? We’re just getting started.
The fire truck of the future is already here—and it’s doing far more than transporting firefighters and water. Today’s trucks are equipped with IoT sensors that monitor water and fuel levels, capture live weather data from the firefront, and provide high-speed satellite internet to keep communities connected during disasters.
These trucks aren’t just operational assets—they’re rolling data centres, building a richer, more connected picture of the fireground. Add crew and equipment trackers, 360-degree cameras, and tethered drones capable of real-time mapping, and the message is clear: the frontline is no longer disconnected from the digital ecosystem.
And just beyond the horizon? Autonomous aircraft, computer vision systems that supports structural damage assessments mid-incident, and AI systems that can process years of incident data in seconds to inform decisions on the fly.
These aren’t abstract concepts—we’re already prototyping many of them. Tools like Claude Code and BigQuery are enabling developers and analysts to rapidly explore innovative features built on decades of historical data. The intelligence layer that once seemed unimaginable is now both accessible and actionable.
Take Rain Aero and & Sikorsky’s 10-ton autonomous wildland firefighting drone as an example. Built on the UH-60 Black Hawk airframe it has been reimagined as a low-risk suppression platform. Crucially, its development is being shaped by the lived experience of seasoned firefighting professionals, whose insights are directly informing how the system approaches, attacks, and navigates fires. By removing people from harm’s way while extending operational reach, it exemplifies how frontline expertise and autonomous technology can combine to transform fireground safety and outcomes.
On a more intimate, yet equally transformative scale, C-THRU by Qwake Technologies is redefining visibility for low-visibility, high-risk environments. By combining augmented reality and AI-powered computer vision, it gives firefighters a real-time view through smoke and darkness, projecting building layouts and heat signatures directly into their field of view. It’s effectively night vision for the fireground - reducing disorientation, accelerating decisions, and increasing safety in high-stakes operations. For the first time, Incident Commanders can see what their crews are seeing inside a structure—bridging the communication gap and enabling faster, more coordinated responses.
But with these tools comes a critical responsibility: to connect them.
Intelligence without integration risks creating digital silos, increasing cognitive overload, and potentially endangering lives. An autonomous Black Hawk that can’t communicate with the manned aircraft it’s sharing airspace with—or a firefighter’s helmet feed being used in isolation to guide suppression decisions. In both cases, critical information is disconnected from the bigger picture.
That’s why the goal isn’t to build more gadgets—it’s to build systems that think together, not just work beside each other.
The future fireground won’t be defined by any one platform or sensor, but by the quality of integration between people, machines, and intelligence. And we’re on the right track.
A New Duty of Care
As intelligence becomes more embedded in fire operations, it also reshapes the questions we ask ourselves.
If a fire is predicted, and the risk is known, who is accountable if no action is taken?
If AI surfaces a threat, does that introduce a new responsibility to respond?
How should digital evidence—from live models, decision logs, or drone footage—be considered in post-incident reviews or even legal proceedings?
These are not challenges to be feared—but they are conversations we must have.
As our systems evolve, so too must our frameworks for accountability, transparency, and trust. Fire agencies, communities, courts, and policymakers all have a role to play in defining how these technologies are governed and how their insights are used.
The good news is that by embracing intelligence, we’re not just improving our operational capability—we’re also laying the foundation for clearer communication, stronger accountability, and ultimately, better outcomes for the public.
The Takeaway
This shift is not about replacing people. It’s about enabling them to be even more effective.
As a firefighter, I believe firefighters will always be standing between the community and the crisis.
Intelligence platforms don’t change that. What they offer is support—by reducing uncertainty, providing clarity, and enabling faster, smarter decisions when every second counts.
The fireground is evolving. It’s no longer just physical—it’s digital, dynamic, and increasingly intelligent.
And in that evolution lies immense promise: safer communities, more resilient landscapes, and a fire sector equipped not just to respond—but to anticipate, adapt, and lead.
We’re not just reacting to change—we’re shaping it!
Jun 6, 2025
The Future is Connected: Inside the Digital Fireground
Recent fire seasons have exposed the limits of legacy systems and accelerated a global shift—from reactive response to intelligence-led firefighting. Agencies are no longer focused solely on coordination and control; they're embracing platforms that anticipate risk, surface insights, and support confident decision-making under pressure.
Read more
Some of the most transformative changes, however, aren’t confined to control rooms—they’re reaching the fireground itself. While AI models and predictive systems still operate behind the scenes, it’s the integration of sensors, connected vehicles, wearable tech, and unmanned ground and aerial assets that is reshaping how—and where—those decisions are made. The frontline is evolving into what we call the digital fireground.
The most exciting part? We’re just getting started.
The fire truck of the future is already here—and it’s doing far more than transporting firefighters and water. Today’s trucks are equipped with IoT sensors that monitor water and fuel levels, capture live weather data from the firefront, and provide high-speed satellite internet to keep communities connected during disasters.
These trucks aren’t just operational assets—they’re rolling data centres, building a richer, more connected picture of the fireground. Add crew and equipment trackers, 360-degree cameras, and tethered drones capable of real-time mapping, and the message is clear: the frontline is no longer disconnected from the digital ecosystem.
And just beyond the horizon? Autonomous aircraft, computer vision systems that supports structural damage assessments mid-incident, and AI systems that can process years of incident data in seconds to inform decisions on the fly.
These aren’t abstract concepts—we’re already prototyping many of them. Tools like Claude Code and BigQuery are enabling developers and analysts to rapidly explore innovative features built on decades of historical data. The intelligence layer that once seemed unimaginable is now both accessible and actionable.
Take Rain Aero and & Sikorsky’s 10-ton autonomous wildland firefighting drone as an example. Built on the UH-60 Black Hawk airframe it has been reimagined as a low-risk suppression platform. Crucially, its development is being shaped by the lived experience of seasoned firefighting professionals, whose insights are directly informing how the system approaches, attacks, and navigates fires. By removing people from harm’s way while extending operational reach, it exemplifies how frontline expertise and autonomous technology can combine to transform fireground safety and outcomes.
On a more intimate, yet equally transformative scale, C-THRU by Qwake Technologies is redefining visibility for low-visibility, high-risk environments. By combining augmented reality and AI-powered computer vision, it gives firefighters a real-time view through smoke and darkness, projecting building layouts and heat signatures directly into their field of view. It’s effectively night vision for the fireground - reducing disorientation, accelerating decisions, and increasing safety in high-stakes operations. For the first time, Incident Commanders can see what their crews are seeing inside a structure—bridging the communication gap and enabling faster, more coordinated responses.
But with these tools comes a critical responsibility: to connect them.
Intelligence without integration risks creating digital silos, increasing cognitive overload, and potentially endangering lives. An autonomous Black Hawk that can’t communicate with the manned aircraft it’s sharing airspace with—or a firefighter’s helmet feed being used in isolation to guide suppression decisions. In both cases, critical information is disconnected from the bigger picture.
That’s why the goal isn’t to build more gadgets—it’s to build systems that think together, not just work beside each other.
The future fireground won’t be defined by any one platform or sensor, but by the quality of integration between people, machines, and intelligence. And we’re on the right track.
A New Duty of Care
As intelligence becomes more embedded in fire operations, it also reshapes the questions we ask ourselves.
If a fire is predicted, and the risk is known, who is accountable if no action is taken?
If AI surfaces a threat, does that introduce a new responsibility to respond?
How should digital evidence—from live models, decision logs, or drone footage—be considered in post-incident reviews or even legal proceedings?
These are not challenges to be feared—but they are conversations we must have.
As our systems evolve, so too must our frameworks for accountability, transparency, and trust. Fire agencies, communities, courts, and policymakers all have a role to play in defining how these technologies are governed and how their insights are used.
The good news is that by embracing intelligence, we’re not just improving our operational capability—we’re also laying the foundation for clearer communication, stronger accountability, and ultimately, better outcomes for the public.
The Takeaway
This shift is not about replacing people. It’s about enabling them to be even more effective.
As a firefighter, I believe firefighters will always be standing between the community and the crisis.
Intelligence platforms don’t change that. What they offer is support—by reducing uncertainty, providing clarity, and enabling faster, smarter decisions when every second counts.
The fireground is evolving. It’s no longer just physical—it’s digital, dynamic, and increasingly intelligent.
And in that evolution lies immense promise: safer communities, more resilient landscapes, and a fire sector equipped not just to respond—but to anticipate, adapt, and lead.