Have We Become Too Reliant On Technology?

Technological advances in tools and equipment used by the fire service have helped to improve efficiency in our service delivery.  In many instances, the advances have improved our effectiveness too.  However, in some in instances I believe it has negatively impacted our effectiveness.  As is the case with any tool or equipment, technologically advanced tools and equipment are subject to failure.  With that said, many folks in the fire service have become too reliant on technology and are ill prepared in the instance our tools or equipment fail.  Regardless if failure occurs with our technologically advanced tools or equipment, it is our responsibility to remain efficient and effective in our service delivery.

I became motivated to write on this topic after a discussion I had with my grandfather this morning.  It is very apparent that society has become too reliant on technology and many folks lack basic problem solving skills or abilities.  Unfortunately, my generation is leading the charge in this category.  In fact, I have made the statement “as long as I have my cell phone and check card, I can get myself out of any situation”.  While this statement is obviously an exaggeration, it’s indicative of where society is.  Technology, while very helpful, may be helping to lead future generations further down the path of laziness or complacency.

However, all hope should not be lost.  Like any other problem or concern, the first step to fixing it is recognizing it.  While society as a whole may continue with this trend, the fire service can manage this trend within our own ranks.  The fire service should continue to use technologically advanced tools and equipment to improve our efficiency and effectiveness.  However, we must train our folks to operate in the instance of failure or absence of the technologically advanced tools or equipment.  Problems were solved, emergencies were mitigated, and fires went out long before the advent of many technologically advanced tools or equipment.  Some of these methods are still the most efficient and effective ways to carry out our duties, while other methods have been improved with technologically advanced tools or equipment.  Even though the methods employed by previous generations to accomplish tasks may not be “plan A”, they certainly shouldn’t be discarded or forgotten.

Why do I feel the fire service has become too reliant on technology?  I’ve observed too many instances of folks using technological advances as a crutch, instances where folks cannot function the moment technological advances have been removed, and instances where folks ignore their senses or observations due to reliance on technological advances.

I know folks who feel that area familiarization and memorization is unnecessary due to us having GPS or Google Map access.  Yes, we do have those tools and yes, we should use them if it will improve our efficiency or effectiveness.  Is it rare that both of these items will fail?  Probably.  However, it can happen and if it does, are you prepared?  The night of June 29, 2012 proved to be an interesting one for us in Northern Virginia.  We experienced a strong storm known as a “Derecho” and chaos ensued.  Widespread power outages and destruction occurred as a result of the storm.  There was very little visibility while responding to emergency incidents and many street signs were gone, damaged, or unable to be seen.  Additionally, numerous roads were blocked with trees and power lines and alternate access routes were required to be taken.  Solely relying on GPS or Google Maps would have been far from efficient and locating some streets would have been nearly impossible due to debris and darkness.  However, our efficiency and effectiveness was maintained because we place a lot of emphasis on area familiarization.  Encountering low hanging wires while en route to a “tree on fire” may contribute to missing a first due apartment fire, but it’s not like I would know how that feels or anything!  Anyways, the take home point is area familiarization is very important.  While technology can certainly assist us in choosing our running routes, it is susceptible to failure or may prove to be inferior due to other variables such as an extreme weather event.

As I’ve stated in previous posts, I am fortunate that I work for a focused and progressive fire department.  One of the newer technologically advanced tools the department purchased is the Scott Pak Tracker.  This device is comparable to a “sniffer” for PASS devices.  Much like a “sniffer” detects the presence of combustible gasses and alerts users to their presence, the Pak Tracker detects PASS activations and emits an audible and visual indicator as indication of proximity to the activated PASS device.  While the Pak Tracker is a great tool, it should not cause the user to ignore their senses and observations.  A few years ago when the department was testing the Pak Tracker, all members of our department and a surrounding department took part in a large-scale RIT drill at a vacant commercial building.  There were numerous “lost” firefighters and a company was activated as part of the Level 2 RIT response (our region has a 3 tiered RIT response depending on conditions at the fireground).  All four members of the company deployed to the interior of the building, one of which was utilizing the Pak Tracker.  Shortly thereafter, the Pak Tracker started to pick up the PASS activation of the missing member this particular company was searching for.  The building was “smoked” up and visibility was extremely low.  The firefighter with the Pak Tracker focused on the noise the Pak Tracker was making, however seemed to tune out everything else that was going on around them to include the audible sound of the PASS activation.  At one point, the member utilizing the Pak Tracker was within feet of the missing member but failed to realize this due to the attention devoted to the Pak Tracker.  Focusing solely on the technologically advanced tool led the firefighter to ignore their senses.  Stopping and listening to the actual PASS device for a moment may have led the firefighter to the missing member in a timelier manner.  I have seen the same thing occur with thermal imaging cameras.  Firefighters ignore what their senses are telling them in a fire because it contradicts what they see on the camera screen.  Remember, the camera only sees what you point it at.  Your sense of feel, for objects or heat, may tell you something different is going on than what is seen in the TIC.  Conversely, the TIC may alert you to something you cannot yet see or feel.  They are good tools but should not replace a firefighter’s senses or observations but rather supplement them.

I have given detailed accounts of two instances above where too much reliance on technologically advanced tools or equipment may lead to inefficiency or ineffectiveness.  However there are numerous other examples including: folks that can’t open a roof if the saw fails to start, folks that can’t force a door with a halligan bar and striking tool when their HFT fails, folks that can’t extricate a trapped vehicle occupant when the hydraulic rescue tools fail, folks that can’t construct a belay when the MPD or 540 fail, folks that can’t shore a trench when all of the air shores have been exhausted, or folks that can’t get pressure on hoselines if the “preset” button at the pump panel fails. Alternate methods, used in the event that technologically advanced tools or equipment fail or are not applicable, should be incorporated during training.  Sometimes I feel that the “older” or “conventional” methods should be taught during initial training so that members will be able to fall back to these methods and build upon them.  In my opinion, it’s easier for a member to learn to force a door with a halligan bar and striking tool.  After the conventional method has been mastered, incorporate the HFT into training.  The member will better understand what they are accomplishing with the HFT and will be able to function in the event the HFT fails.  When I took the 80 hour FEMA SCT course, the first day we were shown, and used, the Paslode Nailer.  However, after that we never used a powered nail gun again.  All of our shores were constructed using hammers and 16d or 8d nails.  There was a method to this madness, as it ensured “carpentry deficient” folks like myself became capable of building shores with hammers and nails.

Technological advances have helped us immensely but should not cause us to become ineffective the moment we don’t have them.  Hopefully the fire service recognizes this behavioral trend and will take action to ensure we do not become ineffective.  Use technology, it makes our job easier, but do so with a plan to carry out our duties in the event the technology fails or is inaccessible.  Also, do not ignore the obvious events going on around you simply because you have a technologically advanced tool in your hand.  The efficient and effective firefighter will be able to perform regardless if the technologically advanced equipment is available for use.