Problem-solvers by nature: How Virginia Beach Fire put AI to work

The article discusses the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the Virginia Beach Fire Department (VBFD).
The adoption of AI began organically as firefighters experimented with it in their personal time and gradually extended to job-related uses, solving various administrative issues.
VBFD leadership evaluates technologies based on their effectiveness in improving department operations. They have clear directives to seek out such tools.
AI is being used significantly across the department, including drafting correspondence, scheduling training, creating professional documentation, and facilitating data analysis and cost modeling which significantly enhances efficiency.
To address resistance, the authors emphasize the importance of maintaining human oversight and ensuring proper training to use AI responsibly.
They recommend other departments to integrate AI gradually, keeping humans in control while allowing AI to assist in solving time-consuming issues.
The authors highlight that AI does not displace the essential human leadership and review processes but rather frees up time for more critical tasks.