Darley - Experts & Thought Leaders

Darley, a globally renowned provider of defense, fire, and emergency services equipment since 1908, is proud to announce that its CEO, Paul C. Darley, has been awarded the prestigious Kathleen Sridhar Small Business Executive of the Year Award by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). The Kathleen Sridhar Small Business Executive of the Year Award is presented annually to a small-business executive who exemplifies Dr. Sridhar’s leadership excellence and support for the defense sector. Darley’s success and growth Under his guidance, Darley has continued to innovate and expand its offerings Paul Darley has been recognized for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering a robust small-business sector within the defense industrial base.  Under his guidance, Darley has continued to innovate and expand its offerings, providing cutting-edge technology and equipment solutions to military and first responders growing to over $1 billion in revenue in 2024.  Paul’s dedication to excellence and his visionary leadership have been instrumental in driving Darley’s success and growth. This recognition is a testament to his hard work and the positive impact he has made in the defense industry. NDIA Great Lakes Board “I am deeply honored and truly humbled to receive this award on behalf of our amazing Team Darley members, and I thank them for their unwavering support and commitment to our mission,” said Paul Darley. He adds, “This came as a complete surprise, and I am also grateful to the NDIA Great Lakes Board for their nomination for this recognition. It’s been a pleasure to serve the NDIA for over 15 years.” 

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and W.S. Darley & Co. (Darley) are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Thought Leadership Essay Competition, a platform that celebrates the fire service's forward-thinking leaders. Founded by Congress in 1992, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) honors fallen firefighters and supports their families, providing resources, counseling, and educational assistance. NFFF also collaborates on initiatives to prevent firefighter fatalities and injuries nationwide. adaptability, inclusivity, and resilience The theme, 'Overcoming Resistance to Change in the Fire Service', inspired 85 innovative essays The theme, 'Overcoming Resistance to Change in the Fire Service', inspired 85 innovative essays from fire service members nationwide, offering solutions to drive adaptability, inclusivity, and resilience. Jamie Howarth, Battalion Chief of Anne Arundel County Fire Department, earned first place with a thought-provoking essay on fostering inclusivity and securing organizational buy-in, while Chris Paskett, Battalion Chief of Eugene Springfield Fire Department, and retired Fire Chief Chris Truty of Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District rounded out the top three winners, each recognized for their contributions to enhancing fire service leadership. rising voices in the fire service "Supporting and uplifting the rising voices in the fire service is central to our mission at Darley," said Paul Darley, CEO of Darley, adding "We’re proud to collaborate with NFFF and contribute to this writing platform that inspires innovation and empowers leaders to shape the future fire service." The competition, sponsored by Darley in partnership with the NFFF, allowed participants to voice solutions that spark dialog and build a more adaptable, progressive fire service. supporting the essay project "The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation is honored to team up with Darley to support the essay project. The essays demonstrate the high caliber of firefighters serving our communities who stand ready to drive progress and put great ideas into action," said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF. The competition, sponsored by Darley in partnership with the NFFF, allowed participants to voice solutions that spark dialog and build a more adaptable, progressive fire service. winners Winners were awarded monetary prizes, with Jamie Howarth also invited to present her essay at the Texas A&M Leadership Conference in January 2024. As the program continues to grow, NFFF and Darley invite fire service members to participate in 2025's competition, contributing to a platform that cultivates leadership and encourages impactful change across the industry. 

Darley, a pioneering provider of defense, fire, and emergency services equipment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jocelyn M. Seng, retired Air Force Major General, to its Defense Advisory Board. Dr. Seng brings a wealth of experience and expertise in defense strategy and weapons system development, further strengthening Darley’s commitment to innovation and excellence in serving the defense sector. Prior roles of Seng  Dr. Seng has an illustrious career spanning over three decades in the defense industry, including key leadership roles at prominent defense organizations. Her extensive background in strategic planning, operational excellence, and technological innovation will be invaluable to Darley as it continues to expand its defense capabilities and offerings. “We are thrilled to welcome Jocelyn Seng to our Defense Advisory Board,” said Paul Darley, CEO of Darley. “Her deep understanding of the defense landscape and her proven track record of leadership and innovation will be instrumental in guiding our strategic initiatives and enhancing our ability to serve our defense customers.” Darley’s technological goals The firm restarts to invest in cutting-edge technologies and keys to meet the evolving needs Dr. Seng’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Darley, as the company continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies and solutions to meet the evolving needs of the defense sector. Her expertise in aerospace engineering and strategic planning will provide critical insights into advancing Darley’s technological and operational goals working towards shaping Darley’s future direction and ensuring the company remains at the forefront of defense innovation.  Darley’s Defense Advisory Board “I am honored to join Darley’s Defense Advisory Board and contribute to the company’s mission of delivering exceptional solutions to the defense community,” said Dr. Seng. “I look forward to working with the talented team at Darley and leveraging my experience to support the company’s growth and success.”

Electric fire vehicles, virtual reality (FR), and firefighting robots are among the new technology innovations in the fire market. They are also among the topics covered in the articles that attracted the most attention (i.e., received the most clicks) at thebigredguide.com in 2022. summary of important issues and technologies Also attracting eyeballs in 2022 were timely issues such as the labor shortage and the ongoing risk of cancer for firefighters. Fire garments were also among the topics in our Top 10 list, as was the importance of lighting at a fire scene. Looking back at the top articles of the year as measured by those that received the most "clicks" provides a decent summary of important issues and technologies in the fire service. Let’s look back at the Top 10 articles posted at thebigredguide.com in 2022 that generated the most page views. Electric Fire Vehicles Gaining Momentum Among Early Adopters More municipalities worldwide are committing to sustainability and climate goals The adoption of electric fire apparatus is accelerating their footprint in the industry. Fire departments from Los Angeles to Madison, Wis., from Portland, Ore., to Mesa, Ariz., have embraced the technology of electric and hybrid vehicles in the fire industry and are demonstrating the practical capabilities of this new generation of technology for the fire service. More municipalities worldwide are committing to sustainability and climate goals. Furthermore, truck producers in general are converting to electric drive systems. Fire Garments Becoming More Comfortable with More Range of Motion Trends in garments and protective gear for firefighters are evolving to address the changing needs of the fire service. Garments worn by firefighters must be comfortable and allow an adequate range of motion. They must protect first responders from hazards such as heat and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Fire service clothing must be durable to withstand long-term usage in hostile environments. Firefighters have to be kept safe by the best all-around protective fabrics. Fibers must be comfortable, breathable, and safe. Virtual Reality Highlights Dramatic Display of the Benefit of Fire Sprinklers Home Fire Sprinkler Association (HFSA) uses virtual reality (VR) to demonstrate up close and personal the revelatory fire prevention role of home fire sprinklers at the early stages of a fire. A virtual reality video available from HFSA demonstrates how fire spreads in two identical rooms in a single-family home in Ashland City, Tenn. Two rooms were set up as identical living rooms, one with sprinklers and the other without. Both were set on fire. VR video captures dramatic footage, which is viewable in a user-controlled 360-degree video and an immersive experience using VR goggles. Robots Support Firefighters but Are Not Intended to Replace Them As departments get more exposure to firefighting robots and learn more about them, they are more open to using them Firefighting robots have been deployed by a couple of departments in the United States, but the full potential of the technology is being realized. As departments get more exposure to the technology and learn more about the capabilities, they are more open to using them. They are realizing why and how they are being used, and they understand the full capabilities of the technology, not just to spray water, but to clean debris or gain access through a wall. Understanding And Addressing the Cancer Risk Among Firefighters Firefighting is among the riskiest professions, and cancer is one of the biggest related medical risks. Fortunately, research is ongoing to understand the nature of the cancer risk better, new protective equipment and practices are evolving to manage the risk, and support is available for cancer survivors and families. Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, who are at greater risk of some cancers than the public. Hazardous substances in the firefighting environment include dozens of gases, vapors, and particulates, some of the byproducts of burning. Exposure can happen through breathing, in the eyes, on the skin, or through ingestion. FIREX International 2022: Ingenuity from Adversity FIREX International 2022 was bustling with visitors, glad to be back networking, demonstrating new technologies, and sharing ideas. Education was high on the agenda across the three days at London’s Excel, with various live seminars and panel discussion sessions held throughout the show. Seminars covered topics ranging from social sustainability to safety leadership, while the Fire Protection Association (FPA) InfoZone hosted sessions on sprinklers in schools, the safety implications of electronic vehicle fires, and the insurability of timber buildings. Addressing Labor Shortages in the Fire and Rescue Services One factor driving the Great Resignation is the wide availability of new opportunities The Great Resignation has particular consequences in the sphere of fire and rescue services. When it comes to public safety departments, the trend of employees quitting their jobs could become a matter of life and death. One factor driving the Great Resignation is the wide availability of new opportunities in a tight labor market. Another factor is baby boomers nearing retirement age who decide to call it quits. A third is a burnout as employees rethink their priorities and work-life balance in the wake of the global pandemic. Burnout is particularly relevant in the fire and rescue services, where workers were especially challenged during the worst of the pandemic. Darley Promoting Benefits of VR Fire Training; Grant Assistance Available Firefighters must be trained to keep their skills sharp once or twice a year. Providing that training in a safe environment is a challenge, and virtual reality (VR) enables exposure to the experience of firefighting. In 2017, W.S. Darley & Co. first began offering VR training by partnering with virtual reality startup FLAIM, becoming their exclusive distributor in the United States. Currently, Darley has sold VR systems from several manufacturers successfully to medium size fire departments and is on the verge of closing sales to several metro departments by the end of 2022. Red tape in larger departments can slow down the adoption curve. Never-Before-Seen Wildfire Seasons Call for Next Generation Of Wildland Firefighter Protection The concern is growing for wildland-urban interface (WUI) firefighters as fires today frequently intersect with residential areas, in and around wildland fields. WUI firefighters are fighting both wildfires and urban fires. This comes with combined hazards and the clear need for their gear to work harder than ever before. Technology Boosts the Power of Lighting To Ensure Visibility At A Fire Scene Technology has transformed the role of lighting in the realm of firefighting. The rise of USB-rechargeable flashlights and headlamps enables firefighters to recharge on the go. New, multi-fuel flashlight “systems” use a rechargeable battery, but also can accept disposable batteries for alternate sources of power. New scene lights are waterproof and offer powerful brightness in situations involving smoke or water. Work lights that fit in tight spaces can be used hands-free or hanging, and rotate on their bodies for light wherever it’s needed.

Firefighters must be trained once or twice a year to keep their skills sharp. Providing that training in a safe environment is a challenge, and virtual reality (VR) enables exposure to the experience of firefighting. VR training In 2017, W.S. Darley & Co. first began offering VR training by partnering with virtual reality startup FLAIM, becoming their exclusive distributor in the United States. Today, Darley has sold VR systems from several manufacturers successfully to medium size fire departments and is on the verge of closing sales to several metro departments by the end of 2022. Red tape in larger departments can slow down the adoption curve. the benefit of VR training A benefit of VR training is to provide more “sets and reps;” that is, more repetition of important tasks A benefit of VR training is to provide more “sets and reps;” that is, more repetition of important tasks that provide a trainee with “muscle memory” that can kick in during an actual emergency. Real-life training costs thousands of dollars for each firefighter for each event. In contrast, virtual training can be achieved at a rate of $15 or so an hour. real-time response “Virtual reality provides an opportunity to put firefighters in an environment where they can fail safely,” says Kevin Sofen, Business Development Director, W. S. Darley & Co. “After the fact, instructors and students can analyze how effectively they completed the session and discuss the risks of doing something the wrong way. Biometric measures, provided by devices such as heart rate monitors, can analyze a trainee’s real-time response to various fire scenarios.” safety Another argument is safety: Training virtually enables firefighters to avoid contact with possible carcinogens. VR can offset the use of “burn towers,” when stacks of ballets are set on fire. There is no tolerance for injury or death to firefighters during training, and VR helps to keep injuries as close to zero as possible. Grant Assistance Program Grant consultants provide support throughout the process, including researching grants available for first responders Darley provides a Grant Assistance Program to help fire departments buy VR equipment. Darley works with Lexipol to guide fire departments to navigate how they apply to any of the hundreds of local and federal grant programs. The program helps departments find available funding that meets current and long-term training goals. The process can take six to eight months and requires an investment of time by the fire service. Available grant programs include SAFER, AFG, FEMA, and local, state, and private grants. Lexipol grant consultants provide support throughout the process, including researching grants available for first responders, and understanding requirements, timelines, and applications. Simulating response  One of Darley’s biggest wins in terms of VR training has been providing systems to the U.S. Air Force, which trains using VRthe to simulate the response to airplane fires without dumping thousands of gallons of foam into the environment, which would be required with real-life training. Darley has also sold VR systems to several community colleges for their fire science programs. It is unlawful to expose someone under 18 years old to an actual fire, so VR helps them prepare for a career later. Fire training For the next generation, which is comfortably exposed to the digital world through gaming and hangout environments, training with VR is a natural fit. For secondary and postsecondary schools, Perkins Grants provide funding to support career and technical education programs. Fire training is just one of the many emerging uses for virtual reality, which first gained traction with Facebook’s purchase of Oculus in 2014. VR products improved around 2017 and 2018, and the cost of the hardware came down in the next couple of years. For the fire service, among other benefits, VR offers a tool for recruitment. VR Applications   There are a lot of benefits to come from reevaluating how departments spend money and how training is done When the COVID pandemic hit, more new uses for VR emerged as companies sought ways to train at scale without interacting or having to travel. In the fourth quarter of 2021, Oculus sold a million headset units, priced around $300 each, reflecting the rise in mainstream adoption. An obstacle to replacing live fire with rain with the use of virtual reality is the argument that “we have always done it this way.” However, there are a lot of benefits to come from reevaluating how departments spend money and how training is done. There is a need to get beyond the perception of the fire service as “100 years of tradition unimpeded by progress.” Improve fire training Sofen urges skeptics not to dismiss the technology until they have tried it for themselves in a live and immersive demonstration. “If you see a demo of it, you can see how it can be a useful tool in training,” he says. One of Darley’s VR partners, FLAIM Trainer and Extinguisher, is on a mission to improve fire training, increase the opportunities to train, and support fire departments’ abilities to stay compliant. multi-sensory hardware and software solution The systems provide a fully immersive, multi-sensory hardware and software solution. Six degrees of movement heighten the training experience. Firefighters train on smoke and operate in a (simulated) dense smoke environment with zero visibility. Biometrics tracks firefighters’ responses to various situations and the use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) hardware promotes a sense of reality. The system seeks to trick a student’s brain into feeling as if they are on an oil field dealing with a levee that is flaring up, for example. interactive and engaging teaching tool RiVR Link and Investigate provide an interactive and engaging teaching tool using 360° video and images Another partner, RiVR Link and Investigate provides a “classroom in a box,” with three degrees of freedom, enabling the student to look left or right, up or down. It is an interactive and engaging teaching tool for classroom education using 360° video and images. The system makes it easy for a fire service to create their content using a 360° camera to capture a scene, then put it into a VR headset. hands-on, real-time simulations A third partner, HazSim Training Simulator, provides first responders and hazmat workers with hands-on, interactive, real-time simulations that mirror dangerous environments and improve the learning experience without the use of dangerous agents. The system simulates any gas meter in an interactive training experience covering how it is used in the field. The trainer uses a tablet and can modify differing CO and methane levels. innovation and support The VR training systems reflect Darley’s dedication to innovation and to supporting the fire service. Some 75% of the company’s revenue comes from products that did not exist for five years. It also expands beyond the company’s traditional reliance on selling equipment to now selling services, software, and subscriptions. After 100 years, Darley will continue to reinvent itself as the market evolves. W.S. Darley & Company has launched a new technology division that will encompass all of the company’s current drone, virtual reality, and training programs while expanding to meet emerging customer needs in the unmanned systems market. The new entity is called the Unmanned Systems, Metaverse & Robotics (USMR) Division.