Artificial Intelligence in the Fire Service

As artificial intelligence continues to transform public safety, the fire service stands to gain powerful new tools—but only if AI is implemented responsibly. This NIST publication explores how AI can improve firefighter safety, situational awareness, and decision-making through smart equipment like thermal imaging cameras and SCBA monitors. It also lays out key risks, such as data quality, adaptive model unpredictability, and sensor degradation, emphasizing the need for standards and trust-building. The report encourages collaboration between fire departments, developers, and manufacturers to ensure AI enhances, rather than complicates, emergency response.