Speaker

Dr. Ryan Falkenstein-Smith
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, Maryland

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in many areas of public safety, and the fire service may have opportunities to use AI as a tool to improve firefighter safety and decision‐making. However, not all AI technologies are built with firefighters’ needs in mind, and some may pose risks if not designed or used correctly. Without clear guidelines, individual fire departments may be left to navigate AI on their own, leading to inconsistent practices and potential safety concerns for firefighters. This seminar discusses pathways to develop clear guidelines and standards that ensure AI tools meet firefighter needs, function reliably in real-world conditions, and keep human decision-making at the center of fire response. Existing NIST projects focused on forecasting hazardous fire events, such as backdraft and flashover, are presented as case examples that, when applied to the NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework, demonstrate how effective AI tools can become more accepted by those who serve their communities

Speaker’s Bio

Dr. Ryan Falkenstein-Smith is a Mechanical Engineer in the Firefighting Technology Group of the Fire Research Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University in 2017. As the leader of the Smart Fire Fighting Project, Dr. Falkenstein-Smith’s research centers on developing measurement science and technology to improve situational awareness, operational effectiveness, and firefighter safety. This work includes developing innovative sensors and data-processing technologies, such as gas-extraction devices for predicting backdrafts and non-invasive analytical tools. His efforts also focus on improving chemical analysis capabilities within the Fire Research Division to identify and quantify various compounds in smoke.