Columns

We Key the Mic for Automatic Fire Suppression Technology

Author: Key the Mic Staff
Published: 8/17/2021
In this episode, we are joined by Grant Van Der Jagt, a former firefighter turned inventor, who has created an automatic fire suppression device that is safe, affordable and non-toxic. It requires no human interaction to work, other than to place the device in an area prone to fire. The Auto Fire Guard, also known as the FireBall, activates only on direct contact with fire. Realistically, not everyone is capable of using a fire extinguisher effectively to put out a fire. That’s where FireBall comes in – it puts out fire so everyday people don’t have to. Listen in as Grant explains the development process for the FireBall, the science behind it, and introduces you to some of his other life safety inventions. read more

We Key the Mic for Technology: How One Alaskan Community Improved Sudden Cardiac Arrest Outcomes

Author: Key the Mic Staff
Published: 7/20/2021
Fire Chief Douglas Schrage knew that a community-centered solution was needed to improve sudden cardiac arrest survival rates and response times in his remote Alaskan borough. Chief Schrage explains how he, with support from local fire chiefs and other community leaders, tackled the issue and made a significant impact on outcomes in the Fairbanks area. Tune in to hear how Fairbanks was able to educate citizens and pull together 11 mostly volunteer fire departments to successfully rollout PulsePoint, resulting in a sustainable program that has improved cardiac arrest survival rates. read more

We Key the Mic for a Chief's Perspective

Author: Key the Mic Staff
Published: 6/22/2021
Scheduling time for creativity helps Bob Horton navigate the challenges and opportunities facing chiefs across the nation. The simple practice of “leaving room for thinking” has enabled him to enhance his performance as a leader and bring about innovative problem solving for his district. In today’s episode, you’ll hear the CEO and Fire Chief of Jackson County Fire District #3 discuss some of the challenges fire service leaders are tackling, and offer up advice for adapting and excelling. read more

We Key the Mic for Innovative Training: CPR Through Comedy

Author: Key the Mic Staff
Published: 5/18/2021
Training through comedy? Yes. In 2019, Fire Department Chronicles (FDC) premiered Comedy CPR, a YouTube video for viewers to learn how to save people’s lives while laughing at the same time. It has 382,231 views! We recently caught up with FDC creator and star Jason Patton to talk about a new program he’s started. Jason’s a busy guy—he’s a full-time firefighter/paramedic and VP of Fire Department Coffee, a company run by active and retired firefighters. In March, Jason announced an audacious goal of training 22 MILLION people in CPR and other life-saving skills by the end of 2022. In this episode, Jason shares how he became a firefighter, developed his insanely popular FDC YouTube video series, and his plans for training people everywhere that "...CPR is a normal thing, 'Cause it is." read more

We Key the Mic for the Latest Technology: Drones

Author: Key the Mic Staff
Published: 3/16/2021
Fire officials across the country are quickly realizing the benefits drones can offer emergency responders. Drones come in all shapes and sizes, and can be aircrafts, boats, or wheeled vehicles. Drones are easy to learn and operate, but there are laws to ensure that it’s done safely. If you are curious about how to implement a drone program in your district or department, or what it takes to acquire and use a drone legally, this episode is a great place to start. Engineer Paramedic Kevin Dykes and Engineer A-EMT Nick Robinson from the Depoe Bay Fire Department in Oregon will walk you through their experience starting a drone program, the costs and training involved, and how it has benefitted their department and community. read more

We Key the Mic for Liquid CO2 Decontamination

Author: Key the Mic Staff
Published: 2/23/2021
Exposure to toxins while on the job is a certainty for firefighters. Rinsing turnout gear on-scene, using disinfecting wipes and showering, along with washing turnouts in detergent are all important steps to removing toxins that may adversely affect firefighter health. According to NFPA, traditional methods for washing turnout gear removes 15%-40% of carcinogens from turnouts. But what if there was a way to remove 99% of the toxins that get on firefighter gear? Now there is. Join us for a conversation with Mike Duyck, Vice President of Emergency Technical Decon (ETD). He’ll share the science behind liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) cleaning and how it removes 99% of the carcinogens left on turnouts, masks, helmets, SCBA and more. read more

We Key the Mic for Fire Service Leaders: Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr

Author: Key the Mic Staff
Published: 2/03/2021
In this episode, we talk with City of Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr. She is a fourth generation firefighter and the first female Chief in the department’s 106-year history. In 2015, she achieved another first—she was elected President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). This appointment made her the first woman in the 142-year history of the organization. Join us to hear how Chief Kerr actively managed her career as she rose through the ranks, and her wisdom for aspiring fire service leaders. She’ll tackle topics including mentoring, crew and community safety, women in the fire service, and developing policies and procedures that recognize and celebrate diversity. read more

We Key the Mic for Firefighter Health

Author: Key the Mic Staff
Published: 12/03/2020
Recently, we introduced you to Key the Mic, our new podcast about innovation in America’s fire service. While the pandemic has revealed many new ideas and the people behind them, there is another pandemic of sorts affecting the fire service: heart disease! In this episode, you’ll meet Rip Esselstyn, a pioneer for the advancement of plant-based eating. He’s a world-renowned triathlete, best selling author, and former firefighter, all of which has been powered by a Plant Strong lifestyle. Rip joins us to talk about his plant-based journey, food culture in the fire service, and the inextricable link between health and performance. read more

We Key the Mic for COVID Innovators

Author: Key the Mic Staff
Published: 11/19/2020
The most-clicked articles in the Daily Dispatch are often about innovation in the fire service. These popular stories illustrate how chiefs, firefighters, and other creative thinkers developed new tools to get the job done. Key the Mic, our new podcast, will introduce you to these inventive minds, and take a closer look at how their ideas became a reality. read more

Bringing Tech to the Table: Welcoming WFCA’s New Senior Technology Advisor, David Blankinship

Author: Daily Dispatch
Published: 2/03/2020
David Blankinship has joined Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) as its new Senior Technology Advisor, and will be at the forefront of Western's work to prioritize technological progress in emergency response. Daily Dispatch had the opportunity to speak with David about his new role and what the future could hold for tech in public safety. read more