Updates from the fire service industry includes Pierce and IAFC presenting its 2026 Fire Chief of the Year Awards, BRINC's new widlfire and smoke tracking capabilities and certifications to Bullard's new techincal rescue helmet.  

Below is a roundup of recent news headlines:

Hyde County, NC, First to Deploy eVTOL Aircraft for Emergency Medical Response

• Hyde County EMS, in collaboration with Code Blue Resources and Pivotal, launched the first United States emergency response using an eVTOL aircraft.

CSPE Center for Innovation Releases Fourth Strategic Scan for Drone as First Responder Programs

• The fourth Strategic Scan on Drone as First Responder programs highlights current deployment practices, response adjustments and the development of an ethical implementation guide.

Pierce, IAFC Present 2026 Fire Chief of the Year Awards

• The 2026 IAFC Fire Chief of the Year awards honor Chief Amy Ramon and Chief Gail Schmidt for their outstanding leadership, innovation and commitment to fire service excellence.

BRINC Drones Unveil Free Wildfire and Smoke Tracking

• BRINC introduces two new LiveOps map layers that deliver real-time wildfire and smoke data, enhancing situational awareness for emergency responders.

Murfreesboro, TN, Fire Rescue Department Takes Delivery of Three Pierce Aerials

• Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department has ordered three Pierce Ascendant 107-foot aerial ladders to improve operational efficiency, maneuverability and reach in a rapidly growing city.

Path for Increased AI Use in Emergency Management in New AIDE Report

• The AIDE Report explores how AI can responsibly improve emergency response, decision-making and community resilience amid increasing natural disasters.

Bullard's New Technical Rescue Helmet Certified to NFPA 1950

• The Adaptix Rescue Helmet by Bullard is a lightweight, NFPA 1950-certified helmet designed for diverse rescue tasks.

OneDose Debuts OneDose Academy

• OneDose Academy is a comprehensive training platform embedded within the OneDose system, designed to improve user understanding and application of clinical decision support features.

National Volunteer Fire Council, Championz Gin to Honor Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders

• Championz Gin has partnered with the NVFC to release the Hero Edition, a special bottle that honors volunteer firefighters and emergency responders across the United States.

Circul-Air Corp, Cool Clean Technologies Launch Turnout Gear Decontamination System

• Cool Clean Technologies and Circul-Air Corp. have partnered to introduce an integrated decontamination system combining liquid CO2 and water extraction.