State Fire Marshall shares thoughts on wearable tech and it’s future.

The opportunity to sit down with Illinois state Fire Marshall Bob Kowalski to talk about new and upcoming wearable technology was overall eye opening and fascinating. Today’s era is seeing wearable technology as more of a consumer product to help make life easier and more accessible. After the chance to sit down and talk to Mr. Kowalski, It was so pleasant to hear a different approach on wearable tech and ways it can be used not just to benefit convince, but to help save lives in the ‘fire department and the police force. “There is a lot more that can be done with wearable tech than a Nike fuel band” said Bob when first asked about the up and coming products of wearable tech. Bob started to get into some of the things wearable tech can do for his job as state fire marshal or for the fire department all together. One thing he stressed on was some kind of device that would easily let firefighters see there tanks oxygen level in some kind of HUD (heads up display). liThe day of goggles and gas mask needs to eventually come to an end with all the technology we are provided with”. Something as accessible as wearable technology can change the entire vision of something like a ‘firefighter. One topic Bob really stressed on as a state employee was how it can effect the police force in Chicago and other regions around the country. “I believe the police force can do some really cool things with wearable tech. I know a lot of state police officers that would love nothing more to be rob cop”. After a good laugh about that one, it was apparent Bob was defiantly on to something. He started to talk about more heads up displays and how they can benefit the police force. If officers can get some type of headset or Google Glass type of device Bob said “it would save them time, and even identifying people within a community an easier task”. Though we may be a long way away from that, there is no doubt Bob wasn’t the first person to discuss it. By looking at Bob during the conversation, one could tell there is a deep passion in his voice and body language when mentioning how this could save so many more lives than the police and fire department already do. Bob was a fire fighter on the front lines for 20+ years before becoming state fire marshal. “We already see technological advancements in fire department so rapidly; it is a different world in a modern firehouse from when I was stationed. It’s truly an awesome time to see what fire fighters will be provided with next”. As for the police force, Bob discussed that is something growing at a rapid pace that still is behind closed doors. “We need to be careful when we use new tech, especially in the hands of people who are paid to protect us.” It was interesting to hear a state fire marshal talk about a topic most associate with smart watch and sport bands. Bob has passion for state troops, firefighters, police, etc. And what they do for communities. “A lot of these older guys in the fire department or police force are scared to see change, I think change is the only thing that will continue to keep us all safe”.