ST. LOUIS – A nationwide shortage of volunteer firefighters is being addressed with a new technology developed by a former firefighter from the St. Louis region.
IDEX’s Commercial Director of Research and Development, Jason Cerrano, created the SAM system, a digital solution designed to simplify fire truck pump operations. Cerrano, who also served as a firefighter for nearly 20 years, says the innovation aims to reduce human error and improve efficiency, potentially attracting younger recruits to the field.
“We’re taking care of the machine so that the human can take care of the human elements of a fire,” Cerrano said.
The SAM system replaces traditional mechanical gauges and levers on fire trucks with a digital interface, allowing for more precise control of water flow. Cerrano noted that this system can significantly reduce the time it takes for pump operators to manage water flow, cutting down from an average of a minute and a half to just 15 seconds.
Randy Vasquez, Chief of the Fayetteville Fire Department in rural Illinois, highlighted the challenges faced due to a severe volunteer shortage, with his department’s numbers dropping from 25 to 10 firefighters. He emphasized the importance of efficiency in the first few minutes of a call, which the SAM system helps to achieve.
Rob Stookey, Chief of the Mascoutah Fire Department, added that the system enhances firefighter safety by allowing operators to manage the pump from either side of the truck, improving visibility and situational awareness.
The technology is currently being used by around 15 departments in Missouri and 6 in Illinois, with plans to expand further, particularly on the West Coast, where wildfires pose significant challenges.
With the SAM system, Cerrano hopes to not only improve firefighting efficiency but also to change the culture of firefighting by incorporating more technology, potentially attracting a new generation of volunteers.
All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff.