International Public Safety Data Institute

03/03/2026

What Firefighters Want in 2026 is live, and this year, it's all about .
FireRescue1 has launched its annual survey with a focused mission: understanding how firefighters train, whether that training is realistic and relevant, and how leadership supports it. The results will power FireRescue1's state-of-the-industry report, set to be published in August 2026 with expert analysis from fire service leaders.
IPSDI is proud to support the What Firefighters Want project through survey development and analysis, alongside the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
If you are currently active with a fire service agency in the United States or Canada, whether career, volunteer, combination, or county/state/federal, your perspective matters. All ranks are encouraged to participate, from firefighter to fire chief.
Take the survey here: https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/firerescue1-launches-what-firefighters-want-in-2026-survey

The newest state-of-the-industry project focuses on firefighter training

03/03/2026

If you haven't caught this one yet, it's worth a listen.

IPSDI CEO John Oates sat down with Critical Conversations Podcast to share what he's learned from decades in the hashtag , from his time as Fire Chief of East Hartford, Connecticut, to leading IPSDI's national efforts in fire service analytics and innovation.

They dig into some big topics: behavioral health, performance analytics, NFPA committee work, and how data-informed decision making is helping departments work smarter and keep their people safer.

It's an honest conversation about what it takes to lead in today's fire service, and John brings the kind of perspective that only comes from years on the job.

Give it a listen!
🎧 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eHPeCcH7
🎧 Youtube: https://lnkd.in/eeF7Suxu
hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

02/05/2026

5 Ways Firefighting Affects Your Heart ❤️
🔥 Extreme heat stress
💨 Toxic smoke exposure
💪 Intense physical demands
😰 Acute stress responses
🌙 Shift work & sleep disruption
Your job is demanding. Your heart health shouldn't be overlooked.
This month, we’re sharing simple prevention strategies, plus ways to document your exposure history using so you have a clearer picture to bring to medical screenings.
🔗i-psdi.org/exposure

01/28/2026

🔥 THE 7 WAYS YOU'RE GETTING CONTAMINATED (And Don't Even Know It)

We all know fire attack is dangerous. But what about the OTHER exposures killing us slowly?

1️⃣ EN ROUTE - Diesel fumes + off-gassing gear in the cab 2️⃣ FIRE ATTACK - SCBA off too early "just for a second" 3️⃣ OVERHAUL - If it's still smoking, it's still poisoning you 4️⃣ PPE REMOVAL - Bare hands on sooty gear = direct contamination 5️⃣ REHAB - Drinking with dirty gloves. Eating without washing. Come on. 6️⃣ RIDING BACK - 20 minutes breathing toxins off-gassing in the cab 7️⃣ BACK AT THE HOUSE - Gear in the day room. No shower. Sleeping in poison.

🚨 HERE'S THE TRUTH: You're probably nailing #2 and failing #1, 3-7.
Cancer doesn't care which exposure got you. It just needs one.

✅ THIS WEEK: Pick ONE contamination point your crew sucks at. Fix it.
Stop acting like you're invincible. You're not. Your family knows it. 💪

01/26/2026

Thank you to FireRescue1 and TheFireStore.com for hosting this important conversation on this ! Our own Chief John Oates explains how the IPSDI app provides a free resource to document the full scope of the job, including the calls they may not think matter at the time.

🔄️Feature Updates: The newest release rolled out this week! 🚀 Exposure Tracker makes it easier to access and organize your logged exposure information with bulk export of your complete exposure history as a PDF, improved onboarding to support accurate logging from the start, enhanced department search with city, state, and ZIP code, and interface improvements based on feedback. We’ve also added integration to provide a direct link to your department’s specific CRA profile for easy reference.

Tracking fireground exposures, traumatic calls, hazmat incidents and even workplace incivility gives firefighters a reliable record to reference if health, insurance or legal questions arise later.

📱Download the app at i-psdi.org/exposure and start tracking today! Share it with your team, and be sure to rate us on the app store!

01/26/2026

🚨 STANDARD PHYSICALS DON'T CUT IT FOR US.
You're breathing carcinogens. You need screening that reflects YOUR risk:
✓ Baseline everything at hire ✓ Annual skin checks (melanoma doesn't wait) ✓ Ask your GP about when you should go for a Colonoscopy ✓ Low-dose CT after 10 years on the job ✓ Monthly self-checks

🔥 THE REAL TALK: We get cancer at higher rates. Period. Catching it early is the difference.

📋 DOCUMENT IT ALL. Physicals. Exposures. Gear logs. Presumptive laws only work if you have proof. 🔗Visit i-psdi.org/exposure, download the app.

⏰ THIS WEEK: When was your last physical? If you can't remember, it's overdue.
Your family needs you around. Act like it. 💪

01/23/2026

highlights the importance of early detection.

At IPSDI, data plays a critical role in supporting research focused on firefighter cancer risk. IPSDI provides operational context, while supports exposure documentation.

🔓 Unlock the power of your data - schedule a demo today:

With several hundred years of combined firefighting experience, we understand (and have lived) the challenges you face daily.

01/22/2026

- NOT ALL CANCERS AFFECT FIREFIGHTERS EQUALLY 🔥
Research shows specific cancers hit the fire service harder than the general population.
Here's what every firefighter needs to know:
TESTICULAR CANCER
SKIN CANCER
LUNG & RESPIRATORY CANCERS
DIGESTIVE CANCERS
KIDNEY & BLADDER CANCERS
BRAIN CANCER
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMAS

⚠️ THE REALITY: These cancers often strike firefighters in their prime years. Careers cut short. Families impacted.

THIS ISN'T ABOUT FEAR. IT'S ABOUT ACTION.

✅ Decon after EVERY call ✅ Gross decon before entering the rig ✅ Regular health screenings ✅ Self-exams (especially testicular) ✅ Clean gear policies
The job is dangerous enough. Don't make it deadlier by skipping the basics.

Be prepared to close the documentation gap when you need it most and log your exposures in the app: 🔗 i-psdi.org/exposure

Drop a 💪 if your crew takes decon seriously. Tag a firefighter who needs to see this.

01/20/2026

- Sign up for the - Did you know as an user, you can opt in to share your exposure history with the NFR? It's your chance to contribute to the research that shapes best practices for .

If you're not already using the app, download it today:
🔗 i-psdi.org/exposure

Share it with your , and rate us on the app store!

01/20/2026

highlights the importance of early detection.

At IPSDI, data plays a critical role in supporting research focused on firefighter cancer risk. IPSDI provides operational context, while supports exposure documentation.

🔓 Unlock the power of your data - schedule a demo today: i-psdi.org

01/16/2026

highlights the importance of early detection.🚒
At IPSDI, data plays a critical role in supporting research focused on firefighter cancer risk. IPSDI provides operational context, while supports exposure documentation.
🔓 Unlock the power of your data - schedule a demo today: i-psdi.org/contact/
🔗Connect with Us: https://tinyurl.com/2dmeuasu