Wildfires are surging across the globe, fueled by record-breaking heatwaves, strong winds and prolonged drought conditions.
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In the United States, Colorado is battling massive blazes that have burned more than 140,000 acres, while Canada faces one of its worst wildfire seasons on record.
In Europe, fires have erupted from the UNESCO-listed landscapes of northern Spain to the southern coast near Cadiz, prompting mass evacuations of residents and tourists. France, Greece, Italy and Turkey are also fighting large-scale fires that threaten lives, homes and critical infrastructure.
Exacerbating these challenges is the fact that many fire agencies contend with staffing shortages and outdated firefighting technology systems, which can result in limited situational awareness that slows overall response.
The urgent need for smarter, better firefighting technology
As the frequency, intensity and geographic reach of wildfires only increase, there’s an urgent need for smarter tools, better data and coordinated strategies to protect communities and ecosystems. Fire agencies need to rapidly identify available resources, coordinate across jurisdictions and anticipate changing conditions, all while protecting personnel and the public.
In fast-moving wildfire scenarios, situational awareness is everything. Firefighting technology enables agencies to see not only where the fire is, but also where it’s heading, allowing for proactive response instead of reactive scrambling.
Improving response for fire agencies
Hexagon’s next-generation public safety platform equips fire agencies with the firefighting technology tools to meet these demands head-on. From precise response planning and real-time unit recommendations to mobile field solutions and seamless multiagency integration, the platform helps ensure the right teams and equipment are dispatched quickly and efficiently.
Integrated analytics and visual evidence capabilities provide insights for staging, post-incident analysis and long-term planning, while assistive AI fills operational blind spots during unfolding emergencies. These capabilities allow responders to move from reactive scrambling to proactive, informed action.
By combining advanced mapping, resilient mobile capabilities and pre-built connections to firefighting technology partners like FlowMSP (by ImageTrend), Deccan, RapidSOS, First Due, Dejero and Prepared, Hexagon empowers fire agencies to make faster, smarter decisions.
For example, in partnership with RapidSOS, we have introduced a new Digital Alerts solution now in use by the El Paso County 911 District. The system sends verified commercial building fire alarm data directly to Hexagon’s CAD, creating incidents instantly and providing location and severity details to responders.
Future-focused AI for wildfire response
Hexagon’s future-focused AI approach is also redefining wildfire response. By unifying data into a single incident hub, agencies gain complete situational awareness, share critical information in real time and coordinate resources more effectively.
As the first to launch AI-driven dispatch technology with Smart Advisor in 2020, Hexagon continues to lead with solutions like HxGN Connect and the Hexagon public safety platform, which streamline workflows, automate routine tasks and help responders focus on high-priority actions during fast-moving events.
Advanced analytics and predictive modeling enable agencies to anticipate fire spread, identify at-risk communities and deploy resources proactively.
With real-time insights and seamless collaboration across jurisdictions, Hexagon’s AI-powered firefighting technology solutions deliver the speed, precision and coordination needed to protect lives, property and ecosystems during increasingly intense wildfire seasons.
As wildfires continue to grow in scale and severity, the ability to act quickly and decisively has never been more critical. By equipping agencies with advanced analytics, predictive modeling and real-time collaboration tools, Hexagon is helping fire services stay ahead of fast-changing conditions and protect what matters most.
Bill Campbell
Bill Campbell is senior vice president for Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division, leading the Americas region and the global public safety business. He joined Hexagon with more than 20 years of management, sales and marketing experience. Prior to Hexagon, Campbell served as global sales officer and vice president of the technology services business at Capgemini and held executive positions at General Electric Information Services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a Master of Business Administration from The Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Public Service and Administration and graduate certificate in homeland security from The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
