TSI 2024 Is on the Horizon - The Silent Evolution: Firefighters on the Frontline of Technology Adoption

Eddie Buchanan is a nationally known author and speaker on leadership, training, and fire department operations. Eddie has proven executive experience in policy development and administration, human resources management, strategic fiscal management, and complex logistics and support operations.

Professional leader with a dynamic career in business development, telecom engineering, sales, marketing and product development. Diversified skills in business and technical principles with focus on Sales and Budgeting, Strategic organization, Vendor Relations, and People Management. Known for developing technical personnel to reach their objectives and goals through creative coaching and counseling. Highly regarded for promoting a collaborative team in a rapidly-changing, multi-cultural environment through transparency and teamwork.

As an accomplished Fire Chief based in Vail, Colorado, I am deeply committed to fostering public safety, ensuring organizational health, and contributing to the creation of safer communities. With a proven track record in convening diverse groups, collaboration, organizational leadership, community engagement, policy analysis, and project management, I bring a holistic approach to fire management.

Chelsea Rubadou is presently working as the Community Risk Reduction Strategist at NFPA. Prior to this, she was a mechanical engineer at Tyco Fire Protection Products. Chelsea holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

In 2023 Kevin Sofen joined the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) as a Technology Advisor to help plan and lead the upcoming 2023 Technology Summit International on December 6-8 in Irving Texas. Kevin spent 11+ years at W.S. Darley & Company, overseeing community development, market strategy, and emerging technology. Since 2012, Kevin successfully commercialized a range of products that include packaged water in a box, virtual reality training, and autonomous drone solutions. In 2017 Kevin launched the www.SmartFireFighting.com community which highlights thought leadership and change management around technology and innovation adoption in the fire service.

Jeff Dulin is the Strategic Advisor for National & Global Programs for the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Jeff also oversees several of the IAFC’s GIS Projects where he works on programs that collect, analyze and disseminate information. In this role, Jeff oversees all Technology Research Projects and data development tools for use prior to and during disasters. Jeff Works closely with State, Local, and Federal partners in the GIS arena to help bring real-time data sharing from the field to decision-makers. Jeff has been very active in the disaster response arena deploying to dozens of national disasters as part of Incident Management Teams and was the Deputy Operations Chief for the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC.

Prior to the IAFC, Jeff retired as the Deputy Chief of the Charlotte Fire Department after 33 years where he served as a Deputy Chief for the last 14 years over the Communications, Training, EM / Homeland Security, and Special Operations Divisions. Jeff has spoken Nationally and Internationally on Disaster and Homeland Security and Emergency Management issues. Jeff serves on three Federal Committees overseeing National Standards for Homeland Security, Emergency Management, and Active Shooter Events. Jeff holds a BA in Fire Administration from the University of Maryland and is a Graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School with a Master's in Homeland Defense and National Security. Jeff has presented Internationally in the UK, EU, Australia, and the Middle East for many years.