Appearing on Global News, Vernon’s Fire Chief, David Lind, shares information about the new early fire detection technology the city has now implemented to combat wildfire.

The City of Vernon has been in a two-year testing phase of the SenseNet system, which utilizes multiple components to gather environmental information. The technology pulls data from sensors, cameras, gateways installed around the community, and other publicly available information into an AI platform continually searching for signs of wildfire.

“It is very innovative”, says David Lind, who is very impressed with how the technology has adapted to the community needs during the trial.

Vernon was one of the first communities in BC to implement this kind of technology, as they were part of a large-scale pilot project. Mr. Lind believes this technology will become very common and compares it to having a fire alarm in the forest.

The research trial ends on August 1st, but Mr. Lind says the city will continue to work with SenseNet, as they continue to upgrade and improve the system for a commercial installation.
“The power in early detection and having 24/7 monitoring is incredible.”

He describes how interesting it will be to watch this kind of technology grow as communities have to manage fire and how useful this could be to help with  evacuations and strategies of fire suppression.

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Watch full video here.