I embarked on a personal mission to dedicate my time and support to 100 fire departments in researching best practices, and I’m thrilled to share that I’ve surpassed this target.
I’m eager to present insights from over 100 fire departments that have contributed to this research.
The objective of this initiative is to improve training and tactical practices, with a special emphasis on high-rise firefighting operations.
During my visits to these fire departments, I had the opportunity to observe a variety of firefighting equipment and deployment methods.
I discovered how the weight of the equipment affects both the deployment and effectiveness of firefighters.
I observed firsthand the challenges firefighters face in recovering from physical exertion; even those in top physical condition struggle under the burden of heavy equipment.
This experience inspired me to explore solutions to enhance our overall effectiveness.
By collecting feedback from these 100 fire departments, I gained valuable insights into our actual response times and evaluated whether fire ground assignments could realistically be completed given the conditions of fire and smoke.
This prompted me to investigate the scientific principles of ergonomics and firefighter behavior.
What is our real capacity to deploy resources more quickly than the spread of smoke and fire?
As a firefighter specializing in high-rise buildings, I analyze and anticipate how a building will react during a fire.
My focus is on understanding the logistical aspects of firefighting operations within buildings and finding ways to improve our strategies for extinguishing fires, evacuating occupants, and ventilating smoke.
With the collaboration of these 100 fire departments, we have developed specialized nozzles and techniques for water delivery and, most importantly, models for firefighter deployment.
Firefighters may hold differing views based on their education and experiences.
It’s important to share these perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding.
We fact-check each other to assess proposed tactics for improvement.
Please keep an open mind; this collaborative approach will greatly enhance our emergency response capabilities.
Through my membership with the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, I have visited 36 of the world’s 118 tallest buildings and conducted studies.
This has enabled me to establish valuable connections and maintain regular communication with engineers, designers, and architects specializing in constructing some of the world’s most distinctive buildings.
We work together to share insights on retrofitting existing structures and designing future buildings.
This networking has helped me piece together different perspectives, giving us all a better understanding of how firefighting operations, occupant evacuation, and smoke control can function cohesively.
I strive to stay current with the latest technology and building design and to share that knowledge with others.
I am dedicated to ensuring that firefighters can operate safely and effectively to achieve the best possible outcomes for those inside buildings.
Brent Brooks is an Acting District Chief for the Toronto Fire Services with 30 years of experience.
He has dedicated himself to research and development, significantly improving high-rise operations worldwide.
Brent is committed to equipping firefighters with modern tactical approaches and specialised equipment knowledge for standpipe-equipped buildings.
The 2025 Influencers Special Edition of Fire and Safety Journal Americas is a collection of some of the most influential voices across the fire and safety industry.
Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of the latest developments, challenges, and forward-looking insights shaping the global fire and safety sector.
