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New tools and technology can feel daunting, particularly if you already feel behind the curve, but the opportunities are endless if you can embrace a learning mindset that focuses on simply doing the next right thing right – fundamentals first, then baby steps. For example, when someone suggests a new tool, start by changing a knee-jerk “no” to a more open-minded “maybe,” then take another step, even watching a single video about the new technology. That's the advice from technology advisor Kevin Sofen, who has spent more than a decade making connections between fire service organizations and industry to help fire departments implement new technology and data management tools. We dig into all this and more: New innovations, like AI, satellite communications and drones Top sessions from the IAFC's Technology Summit International How to involve more seasoned members without expecting them to be tech “champions” Reframing the phrase “death by a thousand cuts” to “solutions by a thousand little things” for technology Shifting the mindset from having to use tech tools to wanting to use tech tools Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback!
In this episode of the All Things Wildfire podcast, host Kevin Sofen interviews a guest, delving into various topics related to firefighting, technology, and disaster preparedness. They discuss the guest's multifaceted career, which includes involvement in virtual reality (VR) training, drone technology, wearables for incident command, and strategic advising for fire associations. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of these fields and the importance of technological advancements in enhancing firefighting capabilities and safety protocols. Kevin Sofen joined the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) in 2023 as a Technology Advisor to help plan and lead the 2023 Technology Summit. Kevin spent 11+ years at W.S. Darley & Company, overseeing community development, market strategy, and emerging technology. Since 2012, Kevin successfully commercialized a range of products that include packaged water in a box, virtual reality training, and autonomous drone solutions. In 2017 Kevin launched the www.SmartFireFighting.com community which highlights thought leadership and change management around technology and innovation adoption in the fire service. In 2024, Kevin joined Ascent Integrated Tech as a part-time Director of Business Development to lead indoor localization and biometric tracking technology partnerships. The discussion covers VR training's effectiveness in simulating high-risk scenarios, such as structural fires, and the role of technology in providing realistic training experiences. They emphasize the significance of repetition and familiarity in preparing responders for emergency situations. The guest shares insights into the differences between structural firefighters and wildland firefighters, detailing the unique challenges and objectives faced by each group. They also explore the role of technology in wildfire management, particularly the use of drones for reconnaissance, early detection, and emergency response. The guest highlights various applications of drones in firefighting operations, from delivering medical supplies to assessing fire hotspots and monitoring fire behavior. The conversation concludes with a focus on the guest's involvement in the Smart Firefighting community and their podcast, which aims to facilitate discussions on technology adoption and change management within the fire service. They reflect on the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing evolving challenges and improving public safety measures. Show Notes: Introduction to the All Things Wildfire podcast and its focus on firefighting, technology, and disaster preparedness. Guest's diverse career background, including involvement in VR training, drone technology, and strategic advising for fire associations. Discussion on the effectiveness of VR training for firefighters, emphasizing the importance of realistic simulation and repetition. Insights into the differences between structural firefighters and wildland firefighters, highlighting unique challenges and objectives. Exploration of drone technology's role in wildfire management, including reconnaissance, early detection, and emergency response. Overview of the Smart Firefighting community and the podcast's mission to facilitate discussions on technology adoption and change management within the fire service. Guest's reflections on the importance of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement in enhancing public safety measures. This episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of technology and firefighting, emphasizing the importance of leveraging innovation to address evolving challenges in disaster response and mitigation.
Join us for an enlightening discussion on the intersection of firefighting and technology in Episode 61. Our special guest, Kevin Sofen, from the Smart Firefighting podcast, shares his insights and expertise on how technology is revolutionizing the field of firefighting. In this episode, we explore the innovative ways technology is being integrated into firefighting practices, from advanced fire suppression systems to cutting-edge communication tools. Kevin provides insights into the latest trends and developments shaping the future of fire safety and emergency response. Whether you're a seasoned firefighter, industry professional, or simply interested in the evolving landscape of fire protection, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for embracing technology's role in safeguarding lives and property. Tune in to Episode 61 of The Fire Protection Podcast, and discover how innovation transforms the firefighting industry with Kevin Sofen from Smart Firefighting.
This week we are giving our listeners an inside look at a live roundtable event hosted by a friend of the show, Kevin Sofen, on his podcast, Smart Firefighting. Chief Bob Horton and Chief Jeff Buchanan were special guests on the show and shared their thoughts on the question, “If technology is so great, why don't we use it?” Stay tuned – our team will be on a break next week, but we'll return with a brand-new episode of Fire Headlines on April 17th!
This week's episode is a follow-up to last week's, where we reflect on 2023 and anticipate what to look forward to in 2024. Fire Headlines Host Samantha Didion and panelists Chief Bob Horton and Chief Jeff Buchanan lead the discussion alongside special guests Dr. Andrew Holter and Kevin Sofen. Together, they explore topics related to organizational psychology and public safety technology. Additionally, each panelist offers their best advice and provides insights into the projects they are working on in 2024.
In this week's episode, Fire Headlines Host Samantha Didion is joined by panelists Chief Bob Horton, Chief Jeff Buchanan, and special guests Dr. Andrew Holter and Kevin Sofen. In this unique episode, the panel reviews the major events in the fire service for 2023. Our two expert guests share valuable insights into the psychological and technological aspects of these developments.
An article recently featured in the Daily Dispatch reported that the Colorado Supreme Court, in a five-to-two ruling, deemed admissible the reverse Google keyword search warrant used by Denver Police in a 2020 house fire case. The decision could have broad implications for how investigators use digital technology in solving cases. Fire Headlines host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Jeff Buchanan and special guest Kevin Sofen, an expert in technology within the public safety sector, to explore the integration of technology into the fire service.
This week in place of a normal episode I would like to share an interview I gave to my friend Kevin Sofen in his podcast. In this episode I am interviewed by Kevin on the science of fire, how I understand the built environment and the challenges it brings. Kevin asks me some really tough questions, like what the fire-safe world is, and how to innovate in space of the fire engineering. I have highly enjoyed this discussion, and if you have not heard it at the Smart Firefighting Podcast, I hope you will enjoy it as well here!This podcast episode is the original content of the Smart Firefight Podcast, which was originally posted here: https://www.smartfirefighting.com/podcast/episode/351c46ad/episode-151-playing-with-fire-to-create-a-fire-safe-world-with-wojciech-wegrzynskiThe episode is posted with the approval from Kevin, thank you so much for making this interview available for the Fire Science Show audience!
Kevin Sofen, Director of Innovation at W.S. Darley & Company, explains the importance of technology and innovation to emergency response. He delves into the significance of listening, user-centered problem-solving and a change management mindset in the adoption of technology. Click here for a full transcript of this episode.
Kevin Sofen, Director of Innovation at W.S. Darley, sits down with host Tom Louis to discuss current and emerging technologies affecting today's fire service.
Paul Gallay is Lecturer & Co-Director at the Columbia Climate School. Columbia University is a global leader in climate and sustainability education, aiming to bring an interdisciplinary knowledge base for future climate leaders to work with businesses, communities, governments, and civil society to address the climate crisis. If you recall Season 3, Episode 13, I had David Lloyd Owen on that microphone to discuss his book, Global Water Funding. I've said it several times ever since, but if there's one book you shall read to understand the water challenges ahead, it's this one. It's hard to read, it's packed, and it's dense, but it's invaluable! So, in that book, I discovered the Catskill Mountain and Croton Watershed agreements, which the city of New York concluded in the 1990s. The Idea was to leverage nature-based solutions to prevent pollutants from entering New York's water scheme rather than heavily investing in a treatment plant that would take them out. Since then, we've further explored nature-based solutions on that microphone, with the City of Glasgow, the City of Paris, or watershed experiments in Italy and Austria. Yet, I had never heard of the one Paul will touch on in a minute after expanding on the New York watershed example I just mentioned. And that new program he'll introduce to us is the perfect example of a clever application of the Climate Change adaptation we discussed with Kevin Sofen last week. Climate Change is here to stay; it will have consequences, and fencing those off using nature sounds like a very sensible approach! Water quality, involving communities, teaching, or further researching, there's a dense agenda for today's conversation. So without further due, let me remind you that if you like what you hear, please - and I can't stress that enough - share it around you. Grab your friends' phones, and subscribe them to the podcast. Recommend your favorite episode to a colleague, or tell the World with a LinkedIn post! And, of course, if there's anything you don't like about the podcast, come tell me! Can Nature Protect New York From Water Catastrophes? Yes!
Kevin Sofen is Director of Innovation at W.S. Darley, but also a repeat podcast host with the Smart Firefighting podcast and the SDG Talks, a social entrepreneur with Wristsponsible, and adjunct professor at DePaul University, a multiple board member and a talent at Unleash. And if you wonder how he packs all of this in one life, don't worry, I wonder too! The SDG Talks podcast highlights Change Makers and their work towards the UN SDGs with a sound passion for highlighting people and organizations that will transform the World into a better place for everyone. To me, teamwork is the beauty of our sport. Where you have five acting as one, you become selfless. That's not from me; it's a quote from Coach K, the legendary 3 times basketball Olympic champion, 5 times NCAA winner, and Hall of Famer. Why do I talk about basketball? Well, because among all Kevin's activities, he's rolling out a coaching program that enforces people's ownership and intentionality toward their water. I'll let him expand on it in a minute. But beyond the anecdote, the key message here to me is that change is a process no one can fully undergo alone. And if we want to change the World for the better, we need to team up, build upon each other's strengths, and get inspiration from proven best practices. So Kevin sharing two hands full of his volunteering, activist, associative, business-related, or entrepreneurial experiences is like a mini-masterclass and a powerful refuel on inspiration. I bet that in some minutes, you'll start seeing SDGs differently, starting with all the ones that are not number 6. And if I further zoom out, you may look at water with a different eye. But without further teasing, I'll let you dive into my conversation with Kevin right after reminding you that if you like what you hear, please - and I can't stress that enough - share it around you. Grab your friends' phones, and subscribe them to the podcast. Recommend your favorite episode to a colleague, or tell World with a LinkedIn post! And, of course, if there's anything you don't like about the podcast, come tell me; I'm doing my best to better that content, one episode at a time. Come on, do it, and I'll meet you on the other side. The Dear Link Between Water, SDGs and our Everyday Lives
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Do you want to create solutions, become a leader, and drive networks to help reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Then take a listen... Welcome back SDG Talkers!! Thanks for joining us for another episode of highlighting change makers and their inspirational work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)! IN THIS EPISODE: - What is UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab? - What is the UNLEASH methodology? - What can we expect from UNLEASH 2022? Fun fact: host Kevin Sofen attended UNLEASH 2019 which inspired him to start this podcast plus connected him with an abundance of likeminded activists - such as today's guests Ana Jiménez Núñez and Serene Habbal! So who better to get the inside scoop about UNLEASH other than the team behind-the-scenes? Ana is UNLEASH's Communications Lead while Serene is the Talent Experience Lead, and both also work full-time as Communications Consultants for Dalberg Media, a media consultancy aiming to increase awareness and mobilize partners and resources to the global development agenda. Ana and Serene have dedicated their careers to uniting media with international development and finding powerful insights that bring sustainability projects to their full potential. The next UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab will take place in the state of Karnataka in India (at Infosys Mysore, the world's largest corporate university!) from December 3 – 11, 2022. The lab will gather 1,000 young teams of participants between the ages of 18 - 35 to brainstorm ideas and co-create innovative initiatives through human-centered design thinking – a process that focuses on the real needs of the people that the solution focuses on. Experienced facilitators and experts will guide the participants through different stages of the innovation process. You can apply for UNLEASH India HERE until June 19. Follow UNLEASH: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Let's get SDG Talking!! Got a good story or want to collaborate? Send us an email at sdgtalkspodcast@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can! And don't forget to check out our Virtual Roundtables on our website! Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
XR Today's Demond Cureton hosts Kevin Sofen, Business Development Manager for WS Darley & Co, Logan Parr, Director of Marketing & PR for Pico Interactive, and Kirk McKenzie, President of McKinzie Smart Technologies
Growing up around bodies of water, Kevin naturally became intrigued by how water runs the world. He continues to serve the communities around him and abroad by spreading awareness around water system implementation and projects through his two organizations, Wristsponsible, Box of Rain Water, and podcast called the SDG Talks Podcast.Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-sofen/Listen to the SDG Talks Pod!Learn about Wristsponsible and Box of Rain Water!Connect with me!Email: hello@globalhealthpursuit.comInstagram: @globalhealthpursuitWebsite: www.globalhealthpursuit.comLove the show?? Support us by becoming a monthly Patron!Sign up here: Patreon.com/globalhealthpursuit___________________________________________________________________Music Credit~Wholesome by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesomeLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Support the show (Https://www.Patreon.com/globalhealthpursuit)
**Please go to https://FamousFounder.com/ to sign up for our free 30 minute webinar on How Podcasting Can Build You a Huge Crowd of Customers. Universally known for its contribution in the gaming and entertainment industry, VR is forecasted to take a massive step as a mainstream technology 24-48 months from now. With the global pandemic affecting traditional work setups, innovators from around the globe aim to provide an efficient solution—a virtual world that allows people to network, train, and work as if everything is back to normal. As much as two to four years are still needed before its official debut, the processes and technicalities involved in making such a masterpiece are intriguing and mind-blowing. Learn more as the Business Development Manager for Innovation of the W.S. Darley & Co. (https://www.darley.com/) and founder of SGD Talks Podcast (www.SDGTalksPodcast.com), Kevin Sofen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-sofen/), talks about the potential, benefits, and value of VR in the next five years and so. He’ll also tackle the entrepreneurial and environmental aspects of water technologies, firefighting simulation, and more! Check out http://anxiousfilmmaker.com/ for videos of the 10 best moments from the episode. Follow us on Instagram @TheAnxiousFilmmaker (https://www.instagram.com/theanxiousfilmmaker/) to see short videos of all the best moments from this and every episode! Connect with Chris Brodhead and Anxious Filmmaker Podcast: Visit the AF Website: http://anxiousfilmmaker.com/ Follow AF on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theanxiousfilmmaker/ Follow Chris Brodhead on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisbrodhead Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuhz3mTvsafjhEx23PDpslw Like AF on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anxious-Filmmaker Follow Chris on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisBrodhead Follow AF on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnxiousFilmmakr Follow Howdy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/HowdyPod Follow ConC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/commentariesoncommentaries/ #VirtualReality #VR #VirtualRealityTraining #VRFirefighting #SimulatedFirefighting #Water #WaterTechnologies #WaterTech #VRAndFirefighting #VRIndustry #WaterTechIndustry #FutureOfVR #MainstreamVR
Kevin Sofen is currently the Business Development Manager in the water and fire technology divisions at W.S. Darley & Company, overseeing product development, market strategy, and emerging technology. During the last eight years, Kevin has successfully commercialized a range of water products that include truck integrated water purifications, packaged water in a box, and emergency response solutions, all of which are now in use by the different customers. In 2016 Kevin launched www.Wristsponsible.com, a social enterprise focused on raising financial capital and social awareness for water projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Wristsponsible raises money through the sale of artisan craft, incentivized crowdfunding, and corporate sponsorship. In the past three years, Kevin has contributed over $350,000 to 25+ water projects around the world. Kevin breaks down barriers to accelerate innovation in the SDG context and seeks to connect with innovators for future collaboration. In 2020, he helped launched a podcast series to expand the discussion around the SDG’s Check it out at https://www.sdgtalkspodcast.com/ and @SDGtalkspodcast Follow along on IG @makeclimatecool or submit your stories to be shared on www.makeclimatecool.com JOIN THE TREEHOUSE Special Promotion for the first 30 that join: https://www.patreon.com/makeclimatecoolagain?fan_landing=true PROMOTIONS: Booni Doon: 20% off first purchase with code MAKECLIMATECOOL Sheets & Giggles: 10% off with CLIMATECOOL Blue Earth Compost: 15% off 6 months + of service with code MAKECLIMATECOOL Find more promos on IG @makeclimatecool TEAM: Music: Jake Huffman Artwork: Skylar Creative --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/makeclimatecool/message
Talking with Kevin Sofen, Founder of Wristsponsible and co-host of SDGtalks podcast! Together we will explore why clean water is so vital to the circular economy. Also we break down the 17 sustainable development goals from the UN (SDG's). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Do you just expect clean and safe drinking water to come out of the tap? Can you imagine if one day it didn't?. One in nine people lack access to safe water across the world. This became more than just a statistic to this week's guest, Kevin Sofen, after a trip to China and Ghana in 2011. The impact of consuming dirty water cripples a community’s ability to develop out of poverty, cascading into numerous health and economic problems. Kevin is the founder of a social enterprise called Wristsponsible, a global movement actively implementing water solutions while empowering individuals to work together for a water responsible world. Beyond his side hustle, Kevin’s day job uses virtual reality to help first responders, including fire firefighters and paramedics, to simulate and respond to risks. This conversation is an incredible reminder that it is possible to have social impact through our work, side hustles and day to day interactions. You can get in touch with our guest via Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kevin-sofen Email: kevin.sofen@gmail.com Links: Website: https://wristsponsible.com Social media: @WeareGCM Patreon: http://bit.ly/YCM_Patreon
In this SDGTalks we turn the tables on one of our hosts, Kevin Sofen, and discuss his journey and social enterprise Wristponsible, an organisation which raises financial capital and social awareness for water projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. You will hear about how Kevin approaches water projects and discuss the specific water opportunities in Flint. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-sofen/ Wristsponsible: https://wristsponsible.com/ Flint Water Opportunity: https://youtu.be/tcG628XJN-4 Who is Wristsponsible: https://youtu.be/KjAut-ichok
Kevin and Mike shake up their podcast format to bring you their personal experiences at CES, which includes deepfakes, 360 videos, drones, and more. They talk about recent news in the fire industry, including a partnership between Haas Alert and Pierce. They dive into what they are looking forward to this year and more on this episode of the Smart Firefighting Podcast. To contact Kevin Sofen email KevinSofen@Darley.com and Mike Mocerino at MikeMocerino@Darley.com
Kevin Sofen is one of the most passionate people I've met! Kevin and I actually met over Instagram when I made a post about clean water for Flint, Michigan. Kevin is a clean water advocate and founder of the non-profit organization Wristponsible. We talk about why Kevin is so passionate clean water solutions, his non-profit, and what next him!! Go ahead and have a listen! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/erin-leeann/support
Kevin Sofen sits down with James Geering. They discuss firefighter wellness, PTSD, sleep deprivation, and exercise and diet in the fire industry.
Kevin Sofen and Kirk McKinzie discuss the fire industry and how technology is changing the way firefighters train and fight fires. To find out more about new technology in the fire industry visit our website at www.smartfirefighting.com
What is Darley doing with water? Kevin Sofen breaks down the different products and markets that Darley serves. In the simplest form, Darley turns dirty water into drinkable water! Stay tuned and enjoy!
A discussion between Up Top Acres CEO Kristof Grina and Kevin Sofen about the evolution of roof top farming. Up Top Acres is reimagining what a farm looks like. We grow food on roofs - converting underutilized spaces into productive farmland and environmental safeguards. We create spaces for communities to interact with and learn about food, in order to establish agriculture as a fixture of city life. http://uptopacres.com/index.html --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rethinking-h2o/support
A discussion with Kevin Sofen and Clive Savacol about the new technology that helps prevent cancer in the fire service. https://www.vaultexposuretracker.com/ Chris Memmott founded VaultRMS in May 2013 as a cloud-based technology platform for public safety agencies. Then and now, the company seeks to simplify the purchasing process for municipal governments without sacrificing the most up-to-date technology. The name 'Vault' was chosen to signify the superior level of security incorporated into every product. Chris met co-founder Clive Savacool when he was presenting his training software to Clive, at the time an 18 year fire service veteran and Battalion Chief. The two started talking and Clive shared some ideas he had that could tie in with Chris’s product. After Clive retired from fire service due to a chronic lung condition, he and Chris reconnected. Bringing ideas for a daily log and simple way of exposure tracking, Clive joined the Vault team.
Kevin Sofen sits down with Alex Nash of Yuhme to talk about the worlds most eco-friendly reusable water bottle. Yuhme works with Water for Good to bring safe water solutions in the Central African Republic. Stay tuned to learn about the upcoming partnership between Wristsponsible and Yuhme. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rethinking-h2o/support
Why do you love water? Wakeboard aficionado Declan Sofen and Wristponsible founder Kevin Sofen give some insight to #WakeLyfe. Why are water sports so special? Why are we happier by the water? Learn how your #BlueMind can be unlocked with a water activity. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rethinking-h2o/support