The Fire Service Scoop: CAL FIRE Utilizing EaseAlert, Africa Fire Mission and Metro Chiefs Help Liberia National Fire Service
Updates from the fire service industry include the 2026 World of Congress communities gathering to enhance fire service leadership, anew monthly podcast from RESCUE Intellitech and funding through scholarships and frants from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).
Below is a roundup of recent news headlines:
NFFF Provides $500,000 in Scholarships for Fallen Firefighters' Families
- The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation awarded 67 scholarships totaling $535,648 for the 2026–2027 school year to spouses, children and stepchildren of fallen firefighters.
2026 World Fire Congress Communities of Practice Gather Fire Service Leaders
- UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute leads international Communities of Practice to address critical fire safety challenges through collaborative research, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships.
- Africa Fire Mission and Metro Chiefs recently joined the Liberia National Fire Service to explore a long-term partnership focused on firefighter training, leadership development and sustainable fire service growth.
TLX Fire & Security, Redline Fire Solutions Team Up Against Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
- Redline Fire Solutions and TLX Fire & Security are collaborating to bring PFAS-free firefighting agents to first responders designed for lithium-ion battery fires.
Pleiadian Systems' Virtual Reality Honored with 2026 Firehouse Innovation Award
- Pleiadian Systems’ Fire Service VR Suite was named a 2026 Firehouse Innovation Awards honoree for advancing firefighter safety, training and performance.
Durabook Unveils R12 Rugged Tablet Active Edge AI Platform
- Durabook's new R12 Rugged Tablet Active Edge AI platform helps public safety teams process data locally to assist in information analysis and decision-making.
New Monthly Podcast by RESCUE Intellitech Focuses on Firefighter Cancer, Safety
- RESCUE Intellitech's new video podcast, The Decon Exchange, centers around firefighter cancer and safety.
National Volunteer Fire Council, AES Safer Tomorrow Fund Provides $200,000 to Local Fire Departments
- The AES Safer Tomorrow Fund provides up to $200,000 to support volunteer fire, EMS and rescue departments across the United States.
- Tait Communications and Zetron have successfully deployed advanced voice console technology for New Zealand's emergency services.
CAL FIRE Chooses EaseAlert, Enhancing Firefighter Alerting in California
- CAL FIRE has selected EaseAlert to provide emergency alerts throughout its Schedule B sites in California.
About the Author
Ryan BakerRyan Baker
Associate Editor
Ryan Baker is a writer and associate editor with prior experiences in online and print production. Ryan is an associate editor for Firehouse with a master's degree in sciences of communication from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He recently completed a year of teaching Intro to Public Speaking at UW-Whitewater, as part of his graduate program. Ryan acquired his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2023 from UW-Whitewater, and operates currently out of Minneapolis, MN. Baker, also writes freelances for the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) in his free time, while also umpiring baseball for various ages across the Twin Cities Metro Area.
