Episode 313: Why First Responders Need One Global Language for Safety with Kurt Vollmacher
Smart Firefighting
How do you prepare firefighters for risks that did not exist 10 years ago?
Hello Smart Firefighting Community!
Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy.
Recorded live at the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) 2025 Conference alongside the AFAC, WAFA, and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience Conference in Perth, Australia.
After 4 decades in the fire service, Kurt Vollmacher has seen firsthand how quickly the job is changing. What used to be a world of diesel and gasoline has evolved into one filled with lithium ion batteries, hydrogen, ammonia, and a growing list of complex energy sources. For first responders, that shift brings new risks and a critical need for clear, reliable information.
In this episode, Kurt shares how his experience led him to focus on one simple but powerful idea: giving responders the right information at the right time. His work on ISO 17840 is helping create a standardized system of symbols, rescue sheets, and guidance that can be understood across countries, languages, and incident types.
This conversation explores the growing complexity facing firefighters, the challenge of aligning manufacturers and responders, and the importance of training around consistent, recognizable information. Kurt also reflects on the long road of building global standards, the partnerships driving the effort forward, and the mindset required to keep pushing progress.
At its core, this episode is about making emergency response safer through clarity, collaboration, and persistence.
So take a listen to hear what he has to share.
Head to www.smartfirefighting.com to discover how SFF accelerates innovation for emergency responders, to find out when our next event is, or review our curated resources.
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