Bill Webb recognised for fire service leadership at Washington symposium

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsPeople

Bill Webb award announcement and symposium details

Bill Webb received the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) received the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award at the 36th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium in Washington, D.C., on March 19, 2026.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and Motorola Solutions announced the Mason Lankford award recipient, and the NFFF, CFSI, VFIS and UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute confirmed the Sarbanes award recipient.

More than 1,500 leaders in fire and emergency services attended the symposium to network, discuss current challenges and opportunities and honour those recognised by the organisations.

Bill Webb and the Mason Lankford award

Jointly sponsored by CFSI and Motorola Solutions, the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award recognises public safety leaders for work linked to prevention, mitigation and emergency response.

Bill Webb, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at the NFFF and former Executive Director of CFSI, spent three decades leading CFSI and advocating for federal support for the fire service and for the health and safety of fire and emergency services personnel.

During his time at CFSI, Webb worked with six presidential administrations and congressional members on joint fire service positions tied to major legislation.

His work contributed to the creation of the Assistance to the Firefighters Grant program, the expansion of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program and the establishment of the federal First Responder Network Authority.

Troy Markel, Chair of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors, said: “Bill Webb’s steadfast dedication and passion for the fire and emergency services community exemplifies the impact and leadership of Mason Lankford.

“Bill has made a lasting impact on those who serve, meeting challenges head-on while always keeping the future of fire service programs in mind.

“His commitment extends beyond the profession, as he continues to support the families of our Fire Heroes.

“I’m proud to serve alongside him on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors.”

Firefighter Cancer Support Network recognised for report

Co-sponsored by CFSI and NFFF with support from VFIS and UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute, the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award recognises a public safety organisation for contributions to firefighters’ health and safety.

The Firefighter Cancer Support Network received the award for its report, Doing it Right: Reducing Cancer in the Fire Service.

Developed with fire service leaders and cancer researchers, the programme sets out how to reduce occupational cancer risks faced by firefighters.

It provides steps to limit exposure and support long-term occupational health.

Victor Stagnaro, Chief Executive Officer of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, said: “Our nation’s firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.

“FCSN’s ‘Doing It Right’ report gives them the tools to reduce those risks and safeguard their health over the long term.

“With innovative programs like this, we can reduce the invisible threat of cancers, strengthen firefighter safety, and support those who serve through education.

“We are proud to recognize FCSN with this well-deserved award.”

More information about the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award and the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award is available at cfsi.org/awards.

Motorola Guardian Hub command centre connects multi-agency fire response

by CommunicationsFeatured NewsProjects

Command centre links three fire services

Fire and rescue teams in Norfolk, Suffolk and Hertfordshire are using Motorola Solutions’ Guardian Hub command centre platform to support joint incident management across more than 100 stations and a population of over 2.5 million people.

Motorola Solutions said the cloud-based system allows the three fire and rescue services (FRSs) to jointly manage 999 calls, dispatch crews and track incidents during mutual aid scenarios.

The platform is designed to support each agency’s daily operations and enable collaboration across the lifecycle of an incident at short notice.

Bringing control room operations into a shared hub means the three services can work more closely during major incidents.

The system also removes the need for each FRS to maintain separate IT systems, which the company said could reduce duplication and ease pressure on call handlers during busy periods.

Darren Cook, assistant chief fire officer at Hertfordshire FRS, said: “Emergencies aren’t restricted by borders, and our responses shouldn’t be either.

“Working closely with Norfolk and Suffolk is already leading to more efficient and effective responses, and the chance to share knowledge on how we’re using this new technology has been incredibly valuable.

“Within hours of the hub going live, we saw the benefits, as Suffolk FRS operators took calls and managed dispatch for Hertfordshire FRS during a large structure fire incident.”

Command centre supports mutual aid and training

The company said the shared hub gives neighbouring FRSs visibility into ongoing incidents and supports closer coordination during periods of high demand.

Scott Norman, deputy chief fire officer at Norfolk FRS, said: “During extreme weather events and major fires, it’s crucial that we can share call handling and frontline resources with neighbouring FRSs.

“The system gives us visibility into our partners’ ongoing incidents to mobilise our own crews faster and respond more effectively.

“Ultimately, we can provide a better service for our community, when and where they need it.”

Jon Lacey, chief fire officer at Suffolk FRS, said: “Our work can often be a matter of life or death – we needed a system which would hit the ground running and enable entirely new ways of working with our neighbouring FRSs.

“Motorola Solutions fit the bill perfectly.

“The Hub model has already proven its value with call handlers able to manage extremely high call volumes and allowing each FRS to seamlessly provide additional support when needed.

“We’ve also found unexpected benefits, such as allowing all control room staff to take part in planned training exercises, without disrupting active operations.”

David Shorland, U.K. and Ireland sales director, Motorola Solutions, said: “Fire and rescue services are there for their communities, but the pressure they face continues to grow.

“Guardian Hub gives services a better way to connect, coordinate and respond.

“With agencies increasingly required to do more with less, we’re providing a resilient, scalable model to help serve and protect communities.”

Victorian search and rescue dog teams join Motorola Solutions radio network

by Featured NewsSearch and Rescue

Search and rescue dogs join Victorian network

Two Victorian volunteer search and rescue dog organisations have been added to the Victorian Radio Network (VRN), giving them direct radio access to the state’s primary emergency services during missions in remote areas.

Motorola Solutions announced that Australian Search and Rescue K9 (ASAR-K9) and Search and Rescue Dogs Australia (SARDA) can now use APX 8000 portable two-way radios on shared channels with emergency services.

The change allows both groups to communicate directly with police and other agencies during rescue operations in isolated terrain.

Motorola Solutions said the addition is intended to improve the speed and safety of missions involving volunteer dog teams.

Suarez said: “Our dogs are trained to search through thick bushland to locate missing persons, often in highly challenging and time-critical situations.

“These new radios enable us to communicate securely with police and other emergency services, significantly improving safety for our members and our effectiveness in bringing loved ones home.”

Shared channels for remote operations

Representatives from Victorian emergency services and the company joined search and rescue dog teams at the ASAR-K9 headquarters to mark the donation of the radios.

Motorola Solutions said the equipment supports interagency communication in rugged and remote parts of the state.

Con Balaskas, managing director, Motorola Solutions Australia and New Zealand, said: “Providing these exceptional search and rescue dog teams and public safety agencies with resilient communications helps them to work safely and efficiently, coordinating their responses when it matters most.

“This collaboration has already proven its value; in one recent search, rescue dog teams located critical items belonging to a missing woman, leading police to find her safe and well at a remote location.”

Motorola Solutions said the addition of the dog teams to the VRN follows the Victorian government’s 10-year contract extension with the company to maintain and enhance emergency communications across the state.

Motorola Solutions to lead fire and life safety innovation at ISC West

by CommunicationsEventsFeatured NewsFirefighting Equipment

ISC West 2026, held between March 23rd and 27th at the Las Vegas Venetian Expo Center, will provide a platform for leading security systems providers and experts to showcase emerging technologies slated to shape the future of physical fire and life safety over the next year.

Over 750 exhibitors are expected to provide security leaders the opportunity to explore and discuss the latest innovations in the security space. Of these exhibitors, Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) is set to lead security innovation at ISC West for fire and life safety developments.

Below, we preview some of the core technologies MSI plans to showcase at ISC West 2026.

Multi-purpose safety sensor systems

At ISC West 2026, MSI will showcase how its Halo Smart Sensor, an intelligent IoT-based multi-sensor security device, can be used independently and as part of a greater integrated security solution to identify wide-ranging security threats and inform site-specific responses.

Halo leverages multiple sensors to detect fire and life safety-threatening stimuli such as smoke, e-cigarette vapor, air quality and sound anomalies, and can provide real-time alerts warning of the time, location and cause of trigger events to operators via SMS or email.

MSI will also showcase how the Halo Smart Sensor, via integrations with cloud-based CCTV, access control and security management systems, can be used to improve safety awareness across complex sites by triggering human-led automatic responses to complex safety threats.

Smart cameras and AI video analytics

At the MSI booth, the organization will also be showcasing its leading video security and AI analytics solutions. Attendees are invited to view the latest Avigilon and Pelco cloud-native security cameras with built-in video and audio analytics designed to provide comprehensive coverage over complex environments and trigger automatic responses to anomalous events.

Visitors will see how camera analytics can be combined with sensor data to inform intelligent threat responses, covering workflows where, for example, smoke detected by a sensor is verified by nearby cameras and used to trigger a live response once confirmed by operators.

The Calipsa video analytics platform will also be demonstrated, a cloud-based AI-powered program that adds impactful analytics to existing cameras. Calipsa is designed to be camera agnostic, meaning operators can integrate the software into existing systems to benefit from threat detection, false alert filtering and video search features without needing new hardware.

Intuitive AI assistant and alerts software

Another innovative fire and life safety technology expected to be shown at ISC West 2026 is MSI’s AI assistant and visual alerts solutions, intelligent AI-powered software built to help operators identify and act on site-specific threats more accurately and efficiently. 

Via the Avigilon AI Assist solution, operators are empowered to use natural language to identify key security system information and captured insights to help reduce onboarding time for new personnel and enable operators of all experience levels to address safety risks effectively.

Via the Avigilon Video Visual Alerts solution, operators can use powerful on-premise AI technology to create custom safety alerts using natural language prompts. Personnel of all skill levels can leverage this solution to improve the identification of site-specific threats captured across access control and CCTV systems to help enhance facility-wide safety and security responses.

Final word

For more than 50 years, ISC West has stood as a platform for leading security professionals to showcase the latest technologies designed to drive the industry forward. At ISC West 2026, Motorola Solutions and hundreds of other exhibitors will continue this tradition by demoing some of the greatest innovations in physical security and fire safety available to security teams from 2026 onwards.

Motorola Solutions will be exhibiting the above-mentioned and wider fire and life safety technologies at booth #14059 during ISC West 2026. Motorola Solutions invites security leaders planning to attend the event to book a consultation ahead of time to discuss key priorities and request a tailored demo of its safety and security technology to help form conversations around user-specific safety needs.

Rapid City firefighters receive Ben Franklin Award for Valor after high-risk rescue

by Americas - EventsAssociations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsPeople

IAFC recognises firefighters for high-risk rescue

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has named four members of the Rapid City Fire Department as recipients of the 2025 Ben Franklin Award for Valor.

According to the IAFC, firefighters Kyle Steen, Nick Jasnoch and Morgan Helton, along with Fire Chief Jason Culberson, were honoured for their actions during a vehicle extrication and high-risk gas leak.

The IAFC said the incident took place on 9 April 2024 at 10:41pm in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Emergency crews were dispatched after a vehicle, travelling at an estimated 117 miles per hour, became airborne for more than 50 feet before colliding with a three-storey apartment building.

The IAFC reported that the crash damaged the building between the second and third floors and struck the main gas line, causing a leak at explosive limits.

Actions taken by first responders

The IAFC said Steen, Jasnoch and Helton, collectively known as M1, were among the first to arrive at the scene.

It stated that they identified the severity of the gas leak and the condition of the surviving occupant in the vehicle.

The IAFC noted that the team removed the passenger and delivered life-saving treatment without protective gear or breathing apparatus.

It added that the passenger’s survival was due to the quick response of the firefighters.

The IAFC said Culberson coordinated the evacuation of 50 residents from the building, working with Pennington County Emergency Management and other agencies.

Recognition from IAFC leadership

IAFC president and board chair Chief Josh Waldo said: “The Ben Franklin Award for Valor, named after Benjamin Franklin, our nation’s first volunteer fire chief, is our most prestigious award, honouring firefighters who go above and beyond in the name of public safety.

“We are grateful to this year’s winners.

“Your training, leadership and bravery are a tremendous inspiration.”

Comments from Motorola Solutions

Frank Galvin, vice president of Motorola Solutions, said: “The heroes of the Rapid City Fire Department chose to put themselves at great risk to save lives in an extraordinary display of selflessness.

“The challenges M1 faced are a reminder of how complex and dangerous firefighting is as a profession.

“One issue can quickly escalate into another, requiring first responders to be observant, adaptable and quick to act.

“On behalf of everyone at Motorola Solutions, thank you for your bravery and congratulations on this well deserved recognition.”

Presentation of awards

The IAFC said medals of honour were given to Steen, Jasnoch and Helton on 14 August 2025.

It stated that the presentation took place during the Fire-Rescue International conference in Orlando, Florida.

The IAFC confirmed that Culberson received a plaque recognising his leadership during the incident.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The IAFC’s account of this incident highlights the operational risks faced when structural damage is combined with a hazardous materials release.

The response illustrates the importance of rapid situational assessment and coordinated action when managing multiple simultaneous threats.

The incident also shows the role of leadership in directing multi-agency cooperation during high-risk evacuations.

Recognition events such as the Ben Franklin Award for Valor may contribute to knowledge-sharing and awareness among emergency services.

Rapid City firefighters receive Ben Franklin Award for Valor after high-risk rescue: Summary

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has announced four Rapid City Fire Department members as recipients of the 2025 Ben Franklin Award for Valor.

The IAFC said firefighters Kyle Steen, Nick Jasnoch and Morgan Helton, along with Fire Chief Jason Culberson, were recognised for actions during a vehicle extrication and gas leak.

The IAFC reported that the incident occurred on 9 April 2024 in Rapid City, South Dakota.

It said a vehicle crashed into a three-storey apartment building at high speed, damaging the structure and striking the main gas line.

The IAFC stated that Steen, Jasnoch and Helton removed a passenger and delivered treatment without protective gear.

It confirmed that Culberson coordinated the evacuation of 50 residents.

The IAFC said medals were presented to the firefighters on 14 August 2025.

It stated that Culberson received a plaque recognising his leadership.

Motorola Solutions introduces ‘AI nutrition labels’ for public safety technologies

by CommunicationsFeatured NewsFire DetectionProducts

New labels clarify AI usage in Motorola Solutions’ security systems

Motorola Solutions has announced the launch of ‘AI nutrition labels’ to explain how artificial intelligence is used in its safety and security technologies.

According to Motorola Solutions, the new labelling system outlines core components of each product’s AI features, including the type of AI applied, data ownership, human oversight, and the intended use of AI within the product.

The company stated that this initiative is the first of its kind for public safety and enterprise security products.

The labelling approach has been compared to food nutrition labels, providing transparent and concise information for users of AI-enabled technology.

Motorola Solutions said the labels aim to help users better understand how AI is deployed in tools used by emergency services, businesses, and other critical sectors.

Labels aim to explain purpose, control and context

Each AI nutrition label will describe the specific AI model or method in use, including whether it involves machine learning, deep learning, or rule-based systems.

Motorola Solutions explained that the labels also identify who owns the data being processed and what human input or oversight is present in each product.

The initiative is led by the company’s Technology Advisory Committee, which serves as a cross-functional group advising on the ethical and technical aspects of product development.

The company said this committee acts as its “technical conscience” in relation to product ethics, constraints, and broader implications.

According to Motorola Solutions, these labels are intended to provide clarity to end users on how AI functions in each specific context, especially in high-pressure situations where time and information accuracy are critical.

AI technologies to assist, not replace, human judgement

Motorola Solutions stated that the broader AI strategy focuses on “assisted” intelligence, not full automation.

The aim is to provide accurate and actionable information that helps users prioritise tasks during emergencies or complex events.

Mahesh Saptharishi, executive vice president and chief technology officer at Motorola Solutions, said: “It is our unwavering conviction that technology – including AI – is the bedrock for safety and security, and it must be deployed with purpose and transparency to fulfil its promise as a force for good.”

He added: “Nutrition labels help describe AI’s use in protecting neighbourhoods and nations, and we are proud to take a lead role in bringing greater transparency to AI innovation.”

Motorola Solutions links transparency to effective response

The company stated that AI plays a key role in its safety ecosystem by supporting people with information drawn from varied sources.

It said AI can process and relate data faster than individuals, helping responders make informed decisions in high-risk situations.

Saptharishi said: “Safety threats often unfold at a scale, speed and sophistication that can outstrip any one person’s capacity to make sense of the situation.”

He added: “AI can ingest, learn and cross-reference data to provide contextual understanding.

“At Motorola Solutions, we design our AI-enabled technologies to augment human focus, effort and performance when seconds matter most.

“Our AI nutrition labels will bring added clarity to the important role AI is playing in helping to protect people, property and places.”

Initiative aligns with company’s ethical oversight model

Motorola Solutions said the AI nutrition labels are part of a wider commitment to responsible technology development.

The initiative has been guided by the Motorola Solutions Technology Advisory Committee (MTAC).

The company said MTAC advises on the ethics, limitations and implications of AI and other emerging technologies used in its products.

It also stated that MTAC plays a role in reviewing and influencing product design to align with broader safety and privacy standards.

Motorola Solutions introduces ‘AI nutrition labels’ for public safety technologies: Summary

Motorola Solutions has announced a new labelling system to explain the use of AI in its safety and security products.

The company described the system as ‘AI nutrition labels’, modelled after food packaging disclosures.

Each label includes information on the type of AI used, data ownership, human control, and the purpose of the technology.

The initiative is the first of its kind in public safety and enterprise security.

Motorola Solutions said the labels were developed to increase transparency and user understanding.

The system is part of a broader assisted intelligence strategy focused on supporting decision-making.

Motorola Solutions stated that AI should help users interpret complex data rather than replace human judgement.

Mahesh Saptharishi, Motorola Solutions’ CTO, said the labels demonstrate how AI contributes to safety outcomes.

The company said the labels were developed by its Technology Advisory Committee.

This internal group advises on ethical and technical aspects of product development.

Motorola Solutions said the labels will appear across its AI-enabled product range.

Brazos Valley Council of Governments deploys Motorola Solutions’ cloud-based 9-1-1 software

by Americas - Projects

Motorola Solutions has announced that Brazos Valley Council of Governments and its member jurisdiction, Washington County, Texas, have deployed the company’s CommandCentral 9-1-1 Smart Transcription and CommandCentral 9-1-1 Citizen Input cloud-based solutions.

The deployments are two of multiple cloud-based software deployments for first responders completed by Motorola Solutions during the second quarter of 2020, as the company leveraged the cloud to meet increased customer demand for cloud-based software during COVID-19.

“When a resident contacts 9-1-1 for help, the technology a 9-1-1 operator has at his or her fingertips can make all the difference in a successful outcome to the call,” said Anita Pitt, 9-1-1 program manager, Brazos Valley Council of Governments in Texas. “We are deploying CommandCentral 9-1-1 Smart Transcription and CommandCentral 9-1-1 Citizen Input because these cloud-based solutions offer our 9-1-1 call takers critical advantages.”

With CommandCentral 9-1-1 Smart Transcription, call takers do not have to remember everything as the call – often a stressful situation – is unfolding. Real-time voice to text transcription provides them with a second pair of ears to make sure they heard everything correctly as they share information with dispatchers to coordinate an effective response to the crisis.

Similarly, CommandCentral 9-1-1 Citizen Input allows the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) to receive photos, recorded video or streaming video from a caller to better understand the situation and coordinate the response. It does this while at the same time protecting the call taker from possibly traumatic images by providing the PSAP with tools to control who sees the media.

“These solutions further evidence our progress and our commitment to our command centre suite cloud strategy,” said Andrew Sinclair, senior vice president and general manager, Software Enterprise, Motorola Solutions. “During COVID-19, we’ve seen and have responded to an unprecedented demand for cloud solutions. Our command centre customers are now reaping the benefits of ‘cloud without compromise’ with secure and resilient, innovative and scalable solutions that help them respond to their residents’ calls for help with confidence.”

The Brazos Valley Council of Governments CommandCentral 9-1-1 Smart Transcription and CommandCentral 9-1-1 Citizen Input deployments are two of five cloud-based software deployments for Motorola Solutions in the second quarter of 2020. Others include:

CommandCentral 9-1-1 Smart Transcription 

  • Manatee County, Fla.

PremierOne Cloud CAD 

  • City of Cayce, SC
  • Hampton County Central Dispatch E911, SC

Bedfordshire fire & rescue service pioneers cloud-based control room solutions from Motorola Solutions

by Projects

Motorola Solutions has announced that Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service is the first fire service in the United Kingdom to utilise the combined Motorola Solutions cloud-based control room solution CommandCentral CRS, the data storage solution CommandCentral Vault as well as the integrated CAD solution delivered by Motorola Solutions partner 3tc.

By upgrading its operations into one platform, the new solution helps the fire and rescue service in Bedfordshire to manage their end-to-end workflow. CommandCentral Vault, in addition, offers an encrypted, secure, centralised storage solution for all operational digital media assets and associated meta-data. In addition to the Motorola DP4000 two-way radios used by Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, the new solutions offers a next-generation control room experience, designed to increase operational efficiencies in incident response and streamline processes and critical communications across the organisation as a whole.

Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service serves a population of 665,000. As part of its ongoing digital transformation, it needed to replace its legacy control room functionality. The new control room solution provides the control room staff – who receive over 60,000 calls per year – the best digital tools to respond effectively. It also provides IT staff with a fully reliable end-to-end workflow, which is easy to manage through the cloud. Together with enhanced security and availability, the CommandCentral software offers integrated voice, data and multimedia communications on a single platform where all data is easily captured and processed, so that incidents can be responded to and reported as efficiently as possible.

The new cloud-based control centre simplifies IT management including the ability to scale data capacity at busy times and reduce costs through the automation of tasks, such as reporting, that were previously done manually. A hosted solution also enhances resilience and support for agile working, so that staff can work remotely and from different sites. In addition, being cloud-based ensures equipment is more secure and resilient.

“We strive to provide an outstanding Fire and Rescue Service to the citizens and visitors of Bedfordshire and lead the way with the latest digital technologies to respond faster and more effectively,” says Paul Fuller CBE, Chief Fire Officer at Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service. “Our control room is at the epicentre of our operations and needs to be failsafe so that every vital piece of information is captured and responded to as efficiently as possible. Through our work with Motorola Solutions and 3tc, we wanted to make a future-proof investment and be the first Fire and Rescue Service to adopt full cloud technology for our control room to further improve our robust, 24/7 operation to make us more responsive and help protect our community.”

“Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service is clearly a pioneer when it comes to developing a cloud-based control room,” says Fergus Mayne, Country Manager and Head of Sales UK & Ireland at Motorola Solutions. “As the next evolution of public safety technology, the new solution can be relied upon as it can be managed remotely with 24/7 support with greater resilience. Ultimately, the new platform enables control room staff to focus on the job at hand – resolve the call at the first contact or dispatch resources in the most efficient way possible to protect the public.”

The CommandCentral software suite is the industry’s most integrated end-to-end mission-critical software solution for public safety that unifies data and streamlines incident management workflows.