With connected vehicles expected to make up 95% of new vehicles sold globally by 2030, connected vehicle technology powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming our roadways. For firefighters, this means more efficient responses to emergencies and it supports more effective fleet management as AI platforms can predict and provide alerts on road conditions, collisions, and repair needs.

Additionally, AI will enhance communication between vehicles and smart street signals, facilitating more intuitive traffic management. When deployed alongside smart pre-emption systems, AI can help integrate emergency vehicle preemption (EVP) capabilities with departments’ dispatch systems and AI will map out the most efficient route for firefighters and automatically signal the proper lights, supporting safer roads for the community and helps firefighters focus on strategies and tactics. Likewise, as more connected vehicles enter the roads, they can send alerts to each other, like when the car at the front of a traffic lineup needs to brake suddenly with the goal of fewer collisions overall.

Connected vehicles will evolve in the coming years, especially as supportive technologies like AI develop. Claycomb will explore where the industry currently stands, where it’s heading, and what fire departments should start doing now to take advantage of connected vehicle capabilities in the future.

Don’t know AI from BI? ERF from AFFF? That’s ok, this session is here to help guide you. With so many different technologies available for today’s fire service, it can be difficult to know what to do. The presentation will spend time on a brand agnostic walk-through of today's various data and technology choices. This will include records management, analytics systems, incident command technologies, and more while answering the question, “well, so what?” This can help guide decision-makers with a better understanding of what tools and technologies can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their department.

While artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics promise transformative benefits, such as improved decision-making and resource optimization, successful adoption hinges on thoughtful leadership and ethical considerations. Grounded in both academic research and on-the-ground experience, this interactive session delves into AI’s potential while emphasizing the critical human element at the heart of firefighting.

Attendees will explore real-world applications, from AI-assisted incident size-up to predictive modeling, as well as the cultural and leadership challenges of integrating cutting-edge tools into established fire service traditions. Through scenario-based exercises and group discussions, participants will gain insights into responsible deployment practices, strategies for team buy-in, and frameworks for ongoing innovation. At the end, attendees will be equipped not just with knowledge of AI’s capabilities but also the leadership principles necessary to harness them ethically, ensuring community trust and firefighter safety remain paramount.

This session will arm FireFusion attendees with practical knowledge that can be implemented immediately in their departments using the latest data on health and performance impacts of alerting technology. You will explore the data behind these systems and their effects on firefighters’ health, including clinical results on heart strain and sleep quality, with a focus on technology that enhances decision-making, improves safety, and adapts to modern emergency response needs without changing core operating capabilities.

Participants will learn about the pros and cons of alerting system styles and discover budget-friendly station upgrades that can boost firefighter performance and health. Dr. Joel Billings will show data from the Center for Fire Rescue and EMS Health Research. In this interactive session, we will provide demonstrations of multiple alerting systems while looking for ways to improve response efficiency, turnout times and member health, while trying to reduce stressors in the firehouse.

The highly engaging, moving beyond traditional PowerPoint presentations, is designed to encourage active participation and discussion so you will understand how cutting-edge technology can transform alarm response. Don’t miss this chance to explore the future of firefighter alerting systems and their role in modern fire service operations.

With the challenge of preparing firefighters for real-world situations amid a decline in fires, it is essential to seek alternative methods to enhance and measure operational performance. Traditional training methods for various types of departments can be costly, time-consuming, and logistically challenging — if they can even be conducted at all. This presentation will explore how emerging technologies bridge the gap between conventional classroom training, hands-on practice, and real-world fire service readiness. By integrating virtual-led training, custom-created training content, and data-driven decision-making tools, fire departments can create a comprehensive training environment that enhances firefighter performance. Technology allows firefighters to experience realistic scenarios and receive actionable analytics that tie directly to operational effectiveness on the fireground.

Throughout this session, we will showcase real-world examples of technology-enhanced training, measurement of operational performance, and the benefits of improved firefighter safety and increased performance for more effective service to the community.

Broga® yoga for firefighters in NJ was created in 2009 and while it was built with the foundation of yoga, it takes on an athletic lead, integrating functional movements and high-intensity interval training. The practice intends to fill a gap in the yoga studio where classes mostly include female participants and moves require deep bending, twisting, and binding. Operation Broga® is a class made for those who serve (EMTs, firefighters, police officers, truckers, etc.) who want to enjoy the benefits of yoga (gained flexibility, great workout, reduction of trauma, reduced blood pressure, etc.) in an easy-going, enjoyable atmosphere.

Chief Dan Munsey will kick off FireFusion with a look at how fire departments should collaborate to become part of the next generation of Smart Cities. Through the integration of information and communication technology and the Internet of Things into city infrastructure and services, communities can access and share critical data, live situational awareness, and more between agencies. The fire service has, in parallel, started its transition into a new "smart" era of integrated data analytics with the use of AI, common operating platforms, and robotics. Munsey will illustrate why NOW is the time to start working within your communities to design a Smart City roadmap that is inclusive to the fire service and recognizes our unique and innovational needs.

The FDNY has pivoted to using technology to support their training and you will learn how they have evolved their technology to produce training videos and bring live streaming of Tactical Training into stations. You will learn how you can enhance your department's training through the scalable use of technology, equipment and resources and attendees will be provided an overview of cost-effective equipment, considerations for planning, scripting and shooting a video production, and content distribution within your department. Reach a new generation of firefighters who expect more training through technology.

San Bernardino County, CA, Fire District is one of the leaders in the drone as a first responder (DFR) movement. This session is a series of case studies to look at successful drone missions, from all-hazard fire responses to law missions, how the district partnered with non-profits and researchers, and how it is moving towards a fully autonomous robotic future of ground, aquatic, and aerial drones in initial responses.

Inspired by his book, “Marine Maxims: Turning Leadership Principles Into Practice,” Col. Gordon will explore timeless leadership principles drawn from the U.S. Marine Corps and adapted for today’s fast-paced fire service. As organizations are transformed by technology, this talk shifts the spotlight from tools to people – emphasizing character, accountability, and servant leadership. Attendees will gain actionable insights on building resilient teams, making tough decisions under pressure, and leading with integrity. In a world where technology evolves daily, the enduring value of principled leadership remains constant. This session empowers leaders to cultivate trust, clarity, and cohesion – all vital traits for success in any era.

This course explores the evolution and impact of technology in disaster response, focusing on how advancements in equipment, communication, data analysis, and robotics have transformed emergency management. Attendees will examine historical disaster response efforts, identify technological breakthroughs, and analyze how modern tools – such as drones, GIS mapping, artificial intelligence, and real-time communication systems – enhance situational awareness, resource deployment, and life-saving operations. Beam will use case studies and interactive simulations so that participants will gain insight into emerging trends in disaster response, including smart infrastructure, wearable technology, and autonomous search-and-rescue systems. The session also addresses the challenges of technology integration, such as cybersecurity risks, interoperability, and training requirements for emergency personnel.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming emergency responses by offering fire departments new tools to enhance decision-making, improve situational awareness, and increase efficiency in technical rescue operations. This session explores how AI can be integrated into various aspects of technical rescue, including structural collapse, confined space incidents, and search-and-rescue operations. Participants will learn about current AI applications, such as real-time data analysis, drone-assisted reconnaissance, and predictive modeling, as well as the challenges and ethical considerations of AI use in emergency settings. Through case studies and interactive discussions, attendees will gain insights into how AI can support and augment human expertise, ultimately improving firefighter safety and operational outcomes.

Fire and emergency service procurement processes are often more difficult than traditional government entity procurement and with the emergence of new technology, software, and other innovations it can be difficult to navigate. From the official processes to improving firefighter buy-in and adoption, there are several barriers to success that must be navigated. This class will cover the 10 biggest purchasing pitfalls when it comes to technology and help participants gain insights into the types of questions they should ask vendors to avoid costly and potentially fatal mistakes. Starting with defining the problem to be solved by the purchase, walking through the process itself, and reviewing the various decision points in between; this interactive lecture will review real-life examples of purchasing pitfalls elaborating on the lessons learned to produce the best possible results for a department that is looking to add new resources to the department. Ultimately, this class is built to minimize the risk and maximize the benefit of a technology procurement process, but it is also a great opportunity to use it for other purposes. Whether this is your first tech purchase, or you are a tech procurement veteran, there are lessons to be learned.

Chief (ret.) John Oates will close out FireFusion 2025 with a discussion on how today's wearables can take a leading role in firefighter health and wellness and it's something most everyone has access to today using their smart watch. Wearable technology, from watches to bands and glasses, has seeped into our lives outside the fire service and Oates will show how you can inject them into the firehouse and better understand the data that can be captured. From the use of the everyday device, Oates will help attendees conceptualize how wearables can improve fireground operations today and into the future during this fast-paced discussion of today and the future to ensure progress is top of mind.