The fire service has always been rooted in tradition—helmets, rank structures, tactics, and even the stories we tell in the firehouse connect us to generations before us. But alongside that tradition has always been another defining trait: adaptation. From the transition to motorized apparatus, to SCBA, to thermal imaging cameras, the fire service has repeatedly adopted new technologies that ultimately made us safer, faster, and more effective. Today, the pace of technological change is faster than anything our predecessors ever imagined, and it’s completely reshaping how we fight fires, conduct rescues, run EMS calls, and manage our departments.
Yet with every new tool, system, or software update, there’s a familiar refrain in firehouses everywhere: “The old way works just fine.”
And there’s truth in that—until it doesn’t.
In today’s operational environment, firefighters and fire officers don’t need to love new technology, but they do need to understand it, use it, and remain open to it. Here’s why.
Technology Isn’t Replacing Tradition—It’s Enhancing It
Every major technology in the fire service was once viewed with skepticism. Older firefighters resisted SCBAs. Thermal imagers were considered unnecessary. Even mobile radios once felt like an overreach. But each of these technologies eventually demonstrated their value by doing one thing consistently: saving lives.
Today’s tools—drones, data dashboards, electric fire apparatus, advanced PPE materials, digital incident command boards, GIS mapping, smart hydrants, battery-operated extrication tools, and AI-assisted dispatch—are simply the next chapter in that ongoing evolution. They don’t take the place of fundamental skills like size-up, hose management, or patient care; instead, they support and amplify those skills.
Being comfortable with a Halligan doesn’t mean you must reject a thermal drone.
Being great at fireground command doesn’t mean you can’t use digital accountability.
Strong firemanship and strong tech skills are not in conflict—they are complementary.
You Don’t Need to Be an Expert—Just Competent
One of the biggest barriers to technology adoption in the fire service is the belief that you need to be a “tech person” to use new tools. You don’t. What the modern fire service requires is competence, not mastery.
Can you operate the new digital pump panel effectively? Can you interpret the TIC image on a modern screen? Can you navigate the department’s reporting software? Can you update your preplan or run a search with the new MDT? Can you operate battery-powered tools safely and efficiently?
If the answer is no, the issue isn’t the technology—it’s that the firefighter hasn’t been given (or hasn’t sought) the training to use it. Just like stretching a line, pulling a ceiling, or reading smoke, technology is simply another skill set.
We don’t ask every firefighter to be a mechanic, but we do expect them to know how to operate the engine.
We don’t expect every officer to be a software engineer, but we do expect them to use the tools available to make better decisions.
Technology literacy is now a basic job requirement—not an optional add-on.
Fire Officers Set the Tone
Company officers and chiefs play a critical role in whether technology succeeds or fails in a department. Firefighters watch their leaders closely: if officers refuse to learn the new accountability system, the crews won’t take it seriously. If officers embrace drones for recon, firefighters will be more inclined to support them. If officers model curiosity instead of resistance, the culture shifts.
A fire officer doesn’t need to be the technological expert in the room, but they must be willing to learn enough to lead. That means:
Asking questions instead of dismissing new tools Participating in training rather than standing in the back Modeling flexibility, not frustration Encouraging the crew to practice with new tools during company drills Understanding how technology supports safety, efficiency, and better outcomes
When officers show they’re willing to adapt, their crews follow.
Technology Is Now a Safety Issue
Modern emergencies demand modern tools. Lithium-ion battery fires, EV extrications, extreme heat conditions, wildland-urban interface incidents, and complex building systems all require updated strategies and equipment. Ignoring technology puts firefighters—and civilians—at risk.
A firefighter who doesn’t understand EV cut zones is a danger to themselves and their crew.
A company officer who doesn’t know how to use digital mapping may make a slower or less informed tactical decision.
A department that won’t adopt new PPE or air monitoring technology may expose responders to long-term health hazards.
Today’s risks are evolving, and so must our tools and mindset.
The Future Belongs to Departments That Adapt
Whether we like it or not, the fire service is entering an era where technology will be as essential as turnout gear. Data will shape deployment models. Sensors will shape fireground decisions. Battery-powered tools will replace hydraulics. AI will assist dispatch and triage. Smart buildings will communicate with command before crews ever arrive.
Departments that refuse to adapt will struggle.
Departments that embrace learning will thrive.
The goal isn’t to abandon tradition—it’s to carry the best of our past into the future with tools that keep us safer and more effective.
Final Thought
Firefighters and officers don’t need to love new technology. They don’t need to be experts or early adopters. But they do need to remain open, willing, and capable of learning. Because at its core, the fire service has always been about one thing: protecting lives and property using every tool available.
If new technology helps us do that better, then embracing it isn’t just a preference—
It’s our responsibility.
The Third Bugle 