Driving Innovation in Modern Firefighting

Richard Fields, Deputy Chief, Operations Central Bureau, Los Angeles City Fire Department

Richard Fields, Deputy Chief, Operations Central Bureau, Los Angeles City Fire Department

Richard Fields has served the Los Angeles City Fire Department for nearly three decades, advancing through the ranks from firefighter to assistant chief. He has successfully developed and executed key projects, including the department’s learning management system and unmanned aerial system program.

In an interview with Government CIO Outlook, Fields explained how he harnesses technology and innovation to transform fire service operations, training and emergency response for greater efficiency and impact.

Leading Change through Digital Innovation

My first realization of how technology could improve my effectiveness as a firefighter came when I started working in the fire department. I was promoted to a leadership position around the time our department introduced the iPad for navigation, marking my initial introduction to technology integration. The effectiveness of using the iPad as a map made me realize the powerful role technology can play in enhancing my work.

Encouraged by my mentors, I was inspired to look beyond the fire department’s long-standing traditions and embrace digital tools. Their guidance led me to spearhead the full implementation of iPads into our incident management program, transforming how we plan, respond and operate in the field. Building on the success of technological infusion in operational response, we developed our very first learning management system. By recognizing different learning styles and integrating digital training tools, we diversified our learning platform and scaled our training capacity.

My ability to create practical and innovative outcomes stems from a rich educational background that focused on analytical thinking, decision-making and teamwork. Collaborating with people who bring diverse expertise and experiences further broadens my perspective and advances my problem-solving skills.

Leveraging Drones for Smarter Operations

In 2015, I launched our first drone program to provide real-time situational awareness in the field. Drones enhance overall efficiency in emergency management by improving communication and resource deployment, as well as facilitating pre- and post-incident analysis. Drones have an amplifying impact without proportionally increasing effort or resources. The technology can be deployed to monitor high-risk zones and help prevent and mitigate fires in areas covered with dense shrubs and small trees, particularly in the wildland-urban interface.

In the outer city, drones assist agencies like the Department of Power and Water in conducting surveys and inspecting infrastructure, reducing human error and saving time. As Los Angeles gears up to host the Olympics and Paralympics, drones will be invaluable in preventing emergencies and quickly delivering self-administered medications.

Shaping the Future of Public Safety

To remain sustainable in a fast-changing landscape, the fire service must transform its service delivery model. This includes embracing innovation, modern technology and strategic public-private partnerships to enhance our capacity and effectiveness in protecting cities like Los Angeles.

As unmanned systems become widely used across commerce, delivery and other domains, public sector organizations are well-positioned to share the resulting benefits. The future requires collaboration and communication to plan the effective use of such technology across disciplines while anticipating challenges and developing strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts.

Advice for Emerging Talent

Avoid reinventing the wheel. Instead, build on proven ideas to create innovative solutions. Reach out to the communities and experts who have already implemented these solutions, as their experience can help you navigate challenges and avoid obstacles.

Be willing to accept, seek out and incorporate different perspectives on your challenge. This mindset will inevitably lead to new ways of doing things, fresh intersections of ideas and stronger teamwork.

Learning Management

Drone