A Global Conversation on Practical Technology
Technology Summit International (TSI), held December 9–11, 2025 in Irving, Texas, brought together fire and emergency service leaders from around the world to focus on one critical question: how do we make technology work in the real world of firefighting? Presented by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and globally sponsored by IDEX Fire & Safety, TSI is designed to move beyond talking about new tools and instead focus on how technology can be practically implemented to reduce risk, improve readiness, and better protect communities.
The Growing Need to Make Sense of Data
Throughout the conference, one message consistently rose to the top from attendees: “How do we use the data?” Departments expressed strong interest in consolidating information to support preventive, predicative and post-incident decision-making; such as analyzing emergency call locations to guide future fire station placement, applying predictive models for wildland fire spread, and more easily tracking required NERVIS reporting data. The focus was less on isolated system details and more on actionable insights that improve response and fireground safety. Fire service leaders weren’t just curious about technology; they were ready to adopt it, as long as it helped them make sense of the growing volume of data they already have.
Turning Information into Operational Confidence
At TSI, the focus was clear: turning information into confidence when it matters most. IDEX Fire & Safety played a central role in advancing that conversation, with Captium emerging as a key enabler of data-driven decision-making.
In “Turning Data into Decisions: Equipment Intelligence at the Emergency Scene,” David Durstine, VP of Strategic Fire Development, framed the conversation around large-scale, multi-agency incident response and the critical role data plays when pressure is highest. Using the example of a major warehouse fire, he illustrated how connected apparatus, pumps, and rescue tools can share real-time equipment data across responding departments, creating a common operating picture and strengthening trust in mutual aid environments. By moving beyond radios and intuition to data-driven insight. Responders gain visibility into apparatus health, pump performance, and tool readiness; helping command anticipate risks, allocate resources more effectively, and keep crews safer. The message was clear: when every piece of equipment tells its story, teams make better decisions, operate as one, and ultimately save time, money, and lives.
That theme continued in “From Data to Decisions: The Strategic Impact of Connected Solutions in Emergency Operations,” where Jason Cerrano, SAM Line Lead, and Maria Hovanes, Director of Product Management, focused on the power of pump and water data, a level of operational visibility that is uniquely available through Captium. They demonstrated how understanding actual water usage on calls can directly inform smarter apparatus specifications, such as right-sizing tank capacity on future trucks instead of relying on assumptions. The discussion also highlighted how connected tool data can prevent near-misses, sharing a real-world example in which a fractured HURST blade failed in the field; an issue that could have been identified earlier through Captium alerts and deeper data analysis. Therefore, stopping the blade from breaking and hurting a firefighter on scene. By turning highly specialized equipment data into practical decisions, the session showed how departments can improve safety, reduce risk, and make more informed investments.
Together, these sessions reinforced a shared message: purposeful, connected intelligence is the foundation of smarter decisions, stronger fleets, and more effective emergency operations.
Continuing the Conversation Beyond TSI
Whether you joined us at TSI or followed from afar, the conversation doesn’t have to end here. IDEX Fire & Safety’s white paper, Commanding Your Fleet: Using Data to Improve Reliability and Response, expands on the themes discussed by showing how FireLink, enabled by Captium, helps departments move from reactive to proactive fleet management. By combining onboard hardware, the Captium cloud platform, and OEM-agnostic compatibility, Captium turns raw apparatus data into actionable insights; improving uptime, extending equipment life, and ensuring fleets are ready when it matters most.
Conclusion: Data with Purpose Drives the Future of Fire Service
TSI made one thing clear: the future of the fire service isn’t just about adopting more technology; it’s about using the right data, in the right way, at the right time. As departments face increasing demands with limited resources, connected intelligence offers a path forward; one rooted in clarity, confidence, and readiness. By embracing purposeful data strategies and tools like Captium, fire service leaders can move beyond reacting to problems and start anticipating them, ensuring their fleets, crews, and communities are protected today and into the future.