Technology and recruitment trends in firefighting industry revealed

Survey shows technology impacts firefighter safety and recruitment

A new survey by IDEX Fire & Safety and Lexipol has highlighted how technology is shaping recruitment and safety practices in the United States firefighting sector.

According to IDEX Fire & Safety, the survey gathered responses from nearly 700 firefighters across both urban and rural departments, revealing shared operational concerns regardless of location.

Respondents indicated that digital tools are helping improve on-the-job safety and may play a role in attracting younger recruits.

The survey found that 86% of firefighters believe technology will influence future recruitment, while 64% said it improves their job satisfaction.

The findings suggest departments may need to adapt hiring strategies to appeal to Millennials and Generation Z, many of whom have grown up with digital systems and expect technology to be part of their working lives.

Technology adoption linked to safety outcomes

Respondents to the IDEX Fire & Safety and Lexipol survey expressed broad confidence in technology as part of incident response.

According to the survey, 87% of respondents said technology had helped them save time in dangerous situations.

In addition, 86% said it had helped them reduce or avoid risk during an emergency.

IDEX Fire & Safety said nearly 60% of firefighters surveyed reported feeling safer on the job when using digital tools.

According to the company, its integrated systems such as SAM, SAM BOOST, E3 CONNECT and the Smart Nozzle provide live data to crews, assisting decision-making during response operations.

The manufacturer explained that by handling monitoring tasks, such technologies allow firefighters to focus more on situational awareness and life-saving actions.

Recruitment toolkit launched to attract new talent

To address generational shifts in the workforce, IDEX Fire & Safety has launched a recruitment toolkit for fire departments.

The company said the toolkit is intended to help departments attract younger candidates by aligning with their values and expectations around digital integration.

Survey data showed that while many younger people are interested in meaningful work, they also expect their roles to include modern technologies.

IDEX Fire & Safety stated that the recruitment toolkit is part of broader efforts to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the industry.

According to the company, the toolkit supports departments in building talent pipelines that reflect the future direction of firefighting.

Gaps in training and trust in new systems

While survey respondents expressed interest in using digital tools, there were concerns about confidence and training.

According to IDEX Fire & Safety, 68% of respondents believe technology is reliable in high-stakes conditions, while 26% said it is sometimes reliable.

Only 40% of respondents said they felt fully comfortable using the technology available to them, and 38% said they had received adequate training.

The survey findings indicate that departments may need to prioritise hands-on experience and support to help firefighters gain confidence with new systems.

IDEX Fire & Safety said long-serving staff may be less familiar with newer equipment and may require tailored training approaches.

Changing generational expectations in the fire service

According to IDEX Fire & Safety, attracting Millennials and Generation Z into the fire service will require changes in recruitment and working practices.

The company said younger people are less likely to consider firefighting as a career if it is perceived to lack modern technology.

The survey suggests that digital transformation is now a critical factor in how the profession presents itself to prospective candidates.

IDEX Fire & Safety stated that while some in the industry remain hesitant, the pace of technological change and generational turnover will make adaptation necessary.

The company said that integrating technology into both operational tools and recruitment processes will be key to retaining and attracting the next wave of firefighters.

Technology and recruitment trends in firefighting industry revealed: Summary

IDEX Fire & Safety conducted a national survey of nearly 700 firefighters in partnership with Lexipol.

Respondents represented both rural and urban fire departments across the United States.

86% of respondents said technology would impact future firefighter recruitment.

64% said it played a positive role in their job satisfaction.

87% said it helped save time in dangerous situations.

86% said it helped reduce or avoid risk in emergencies.

60% said they felt safer on the job when using technology.

68% believed technology was reliable in high-stakes conditions.

Only 40% felt fully comfortable using technology on duty.

38% said they had received sufficient training.

IDEX Fire & Safety has released a recruitment toolkit to support hiring.

The company also highlighted several digital tools including SAM and E3 CONNECT.

All information was sourced from IDEX Fire & Safety.