Emerging Technologies and Innovations in Wildfire

In this episode of Catching Wildfire, Chief Jeff Johnson and Chief Kim Zagaris speak with Chief Brian Fennessy about how fire service leadership must evolve to meet modern challenges. The conversation highlights authenticity, humility, mentorship, and overcoming resistance to change.

Chief Fennessy also explains how wildfire technology, robotics, and night aviation will shape the future of the fire service. The discussion includes the need for leaders to understand FirstNet, support reauthorization, reduce cognitive load for firefighters, and create a culture that embraces innovation while honoring tradition.

This episode is essential for current and future leaders who want to strengthen their leadership approach and prepare their agencies for the next generation of public safety challenges.
The discussion includes Mega Connect, a portable 5G high power hotspot, MegaRange for extended coverage, mission critical audio, glove friendly design, and the XP Pro Thermal. Michael also shares future innovations including satellite support, device to device communications, and AI enhanced imaging for public safety.

In this episode of Catching Wildfire, Chief Jeff Johnson and Chief Kim Zagaris talk with Michael Coad from Sonim Technologies about new tools transforming wildfire response. They explore thermal imaging for firefighting, FirstNet devices, rugged phones for firefighters, and how technology like FLIR imaging improves hotspot detection and search and rescue.

The discussion includes Mega Connect, a portable 5G high power hotspot, MegaRange for extended coverage, mission critical audio, glove friendly design, and the XP Pro Thermal. Michael also shares future innovations including satellite support, device to device communications, and AI enhanced imaging for public safety.

On this episode, our hosts, Chief Jeff Johnson and Chief Kim Zagaris, are joined by Chief David Winnacker to discuss the art of strategically staging resources and tools to effectively combat wildfires. Chief Winnacker shares the challenges and successes of his efforts to create a common operating picture for fire response. Chief Winnacker also speaks to the importance of developing and mentoring the next generation of talent in the fire service. 

Welcome back to Catching Wildfire! On this episode, Chief Jeff Johnson and Chief Kim Zagaris speak with David Blankinship, President of Emergent. David shares how his background has contributed to the technical evolutions and innovations at Emergent. During the episode, they delve into how Emergent’s fire apparatus hotspots and architectural design are making a difference in the fire industry. 

In this inaugural episode of the Catching Wildfire podcast series, Chief Jeff Johnson (Ret.) and Chief Kim Zagaris are joined by Dr. Neal Driscoll as they discuss the Alert West Wildfire Camera & Sensor Networks used to detect wildfires on the West Coast.

During the 2025 Vision Summit, the Catching Wildfire podcast hosted the leaders representing the FirstNet public/private partnership. Chief Kim Zagaris had the opportunity to sit down with Scott Agnew, President of FirstNet, Built with AT&T, and Jeff Bratcher, Deputy Executive Director, Office of Operations and Chief Technology Officer with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority).

This special edition podcast focuses on the origins of the FirstNet technical vision, the interactions and expectations between FirstNet, Built with AT&T and the FirstNet Authority to manage responses to wildfires, how the sustainable FirstNet reinvestment model ensures service and expansion of the network, and future forward actions benefitting public safety.