SERDP and ESTCP host wildland safety, fire PPE tabletop exchange

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

 

March 2, 2026

 

The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) hosted the Wildland Safety & Fire Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Tabletop Exchange on Feb. 18.

 

The event took place at Central Florida Tech Grove in Orlando, Fla., and used a hybrid format that allowed attendees to participate either in person or virtually. Representatives from government, industry, academia and operational organizations joined throughout the day for panels, breakout sessions and discussions focused on improving wildland firefighter safety.

 

SERDP and ESTCP are the Department of Defense’s installation innovation programs. SERDP conducts research and development to address environmental and operational challenges, while ESTCP tests and demonstrates new technologies to ensure they can be applied effectively in real-world settings. Together, the programs provide a pathway for innovations to move from research into practical use across military installations.

 

The exchange convened government leaders, subject-matter experts, small business representatives, academic researchers and industry professionals to review emerging PPE concepts and discuss operational requirements.

 

The agenda combined presentations from experts with interactive breakout discussions, giving participants opportunities to share experiences and perspectives directly with operational and government stakeholders.

 

A central focus of the event was advancing the next generation of firefighter protection. Attendees examined new PPE technologies, considered their applications in the field and contributed insights to guide future development.

 

Kevin Hiers, program manager of SERDP and ESTCP, emphasized the event’s importance, noting that it brought together experts from multiple sectors to review protective equipment concepts and address the practical challenges faced by wildland firefighters.

 

“The Wildland Safety & Fire PPE Tabletop Exchange provides a vital forum for collaboration across disciplines,” Hiers said. “By exchanging perspectives and examining innovative protective equipment solutions, we can help ensure that the next generation of firefighter PPE meets the demands of real-world operations.”

 

Networking played a key role throughout the day, allowing participants to connect with peers from government, industry and academia. These interactions fostered relationships that may support ongoing research, demonstrations and technology development in the field of firefighter safety. The event also served as a platform for providing input on emerging PPE solutions, bridging innovation with operational needs to ensure that new technologies align with real-world requirements.

 

Overall, the tabletop exchange demonstrated a collaborative approach to enhancing wildland firefighter safety. The event helped advance the development of PPE that meets operational demands while addressing the evolving priorities of government and industry stakeholders, contributing to the future of firefighter protection and performance.