Firefighting presents complex challenges to firefighters as each situation is unique, and first responders almost always face different scenarios on every call. Research from the National Fire Protection Association shows that as recently as 2022, local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.5 million fires in the U.S. that resulted in 3,790 civilian deaths, 13,250 reported injuries, and $18 billion in property damage.

It is estimated that each year, over 356,000 cardiac arrest events occur outside of hospital settings across the U.S. – and nearly 90% of them prove to be fatal. To address this critical issue and improve preparedness in schools and communities, advocates from across the state of Texas gathered earlier this year in the capitol to discuss the need to have Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) in place throughout all schools in the state.

On Wednesday, October 9th, 2024, members of the first responder community gathered for Equipped's Mid-Atlantic Technology Summit at the World Trade Center in Baltimore, Maryland. This one-day conference, generously supported by ASSUREd Safe, Tekniam, and Red Hat, focused on enhancing practical field knowledge for emergency response professionals.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to break new ground with new applications across a wide spectrum of services. This article looks into how a new two-way audio translation technology being launched by Preparedis set to revolutionize EMS communications.

It goes without saying that firefighters are some of the most valuable members of communities big and small across the country, and their role as first responders to the scenes of fires, accidents and other catastrophes is vital to saving countless lives each year. But this occupation is not only fraught with the obvious physical hazards that come with the job – firefighters are also exposed to many other dangers that go unseen, often leading to the development of cancer.

Extreme heat driven by climate change is fueling raging wildfires across not just the western region but in many other states in the U.S. and Canada at unprecedented rates. Firefighters are increasingly observing unusual fire behavior that defies past experiences, and the 2024 fire season started earlier than usual and is showing no signs of abating any time soon.