What if every fire agency could detect a wildfire within minutes of ignition and track it in near real time?

Hello Smart Firefighting Community!

Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy.

Recorded live at the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) 2025 Conference alongside the AFAC, WAFA, and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience Conference in Perth, Australia.

In this episode, Karen O’Connor of Earth Fire Alliance shares how a nonprofit partnership is building satellites designed by firefighters for firefighters.

Shaped by direct input from agencies in Australia, the United States, and Portugal, the system is built to detect small hotspots, cover wide landscapes, and see through smoke. The goal is simple: give agencies reliable, purpose built data to support faster, more confident decisions.

As wildfire grows more intense and expands into new regions, Karen reflects on how our relationship with fire must evolve. She discusses the value of global collaboration, standardized information, and learning across borders.

The conversation also highlights how modern satellite technology can complement Indigenous land management practices. At its core, this effort is about reducing disasters and strengthening the protection of communities and ecosystems.

So take a listen to hear what she has to share.

Episode 308: A Global Alliance to See Fire Before It Spreads with Karen O’Connor