Whelen Engineering Company - Experts & Thought Leaders

It would be difficult to find someone with more energy, enthusiasm, and warmth than Scott Finco. A born-and-raised Wisconsinite, Scott is the kind of guy who makes everyone feel like an old friend within minutes of meeting him. Equal parts charismatic storyteller and level-headed problem solver, he is as quick with a laugh as he is with a life-saving solution. And for more than three decades, he has poured that boundless energy into protecting others, earning him the title of 2024 Whelen Everyday Champion. “I feel really good being singled out for this,” says Scott Finco, his endearing humility shining through. He adds, “But in my mind, this award is for my whole team. We’re all in it together, and I couldn’t do it without them.” A Life of Service and Passion Scott’s career spans 33 years in firefighting, including time as a lieutenant Scott’s journey to becoming a respected racetrack safety professional began with two childhood passions: firefighting and racing. Growing up, Scott spent weekends at local racetracks with his family, watching cars zoom by and dreaming of being a part of the action. That dream turned into a lifelong calling, combining his love of motorsports with a drive to serve. Scott’s career spans 33 years in firefighting, including time as a lieutenant with the Menomonee Falls Fire Department. But his passion for safety and service didn’t stop there. Scott has extinguished countless car fires Over the last two decades, he has become a fixture in the racing community, working on safety teams at iconic tracks like Daytona International Speedway, Talladega, and Road America. He’s extinguished countless car fires, performed extractions, and even saved lives, including performing CPR for 15 minutes on a competitor who suffered cardiac arrest at a racetrack. “I think one of the most rewarding parts of this job is helping a driver or fan on their worst day,” says Scott Finco, adding “We often get letters or personal thank-you’s from drivers. Knowing that you used your training and made a difference - it’s really moving. Sometimes, it brings tears to my eyes.” Teaching, Mentoring, and Leading by Example As the Safety Team Director and an instructor, Scott is passionate about mentoring new team members If there’s one thing Scott loves as much as being on the track, it’s teaching others how to do the job right. As the Safety Team Director and an instructor, Scott is passionate about mentoring new team members and sharing the lessons he’s learned over the years. “I always ask, ‘Did you learn something, and is there progress?’” explains Scott Finco, adding “You have to keep learning, keep progressing, and keep looking out for each other. That’s how you build a strong team.” Expert in racetrack safety Scott describes racetrack safety as a job with a lot of moving parts, comparing it to an octopus with many tentacles. From protecting drivers and fans to ensuring the safety of his teammates, Scott’s responsibilities are as diverse as they are critical. He emphasizes vigilance and preparation as the keys to success. In his downtime, Scott continues to sharpen his skills by studying crash videos on YouTube, observing how safety teams approach various situations and analyzing what could be done better, or learning from jobs well done. “I’m always looking for ways to improve because good enough isn’t good enough,” says Scott, adding “You have to push yourself to be better every day.” Steady leadership and infectious optimism Scott’s team members often look to him not just for technical expertise but for his steady leadership Scott’s team members and students often look to him not just for technical expertise but for his steady leadership and infectious optimism. Whether he’s cracking a joke to ease the tension or demonstrating how to safely exit a truck during a crash response, Scott embodies the spirit of collaboration and community. Among several nominations submitted for Scott to be chosen as the Whelen Everyday Champion, one reads, “He is well-respected and well-trained. He is always working to make things safer and more efficient for everyone involved.” Scott is quick to credit the mentors who helped shape his career. “I wouldn’t be where I am without my Fire Chief and Captain at Daytona, Michael Cordle and Jim Gore, and the Emergency Services Coordinator at Talladega, Randy Ballard,” says Scott, adding “Those three men trusted me and showed me that hard work really does pay off.” Family and Legacy While Scott is deeply committed to his work, he’s equally devoted to his family, which includes three daughters and twelve grandchildren. Married for 39 years, Scott credits his wife, Margie, as his greatest supporter and the reason he’s been able to dedicate so much of his life to serving others. “My wife is just as important as any first responder,” Scott says. “She’s my rock. I couldn’t do this without her.” Safety team - a second family Scott also considers his safety team a second family, calling it a brotherhood Scott also considers his safety team a second family, calling it a brotherhood or a community that mimics what he experienced during his time as a firefighter. “We have each other’s backs,” explains Scott, adding “We have to protect each other, so it’s really important to trust each other and communicate when we’re out on the track.” Looking ahead, Scott hopes to continue mentoring the next generation of safety professionals and inspiring others to get involved. He also wants to raise awareness about the importance of racetrack safety teams. “I really hope this story inspires people to jump in and help out,” says Scott, adding “There’s always more to learn, and there’s always progress to make.” A Call to Serve Scott’s dedication to safety and service is a testament to his belief in making a difference wherever he can. For those inspired by his story, Scott offers straightforward advice on how to get involved, saying, “Google is your best friend. Look up opportunities in your area – whether it’s joining a fire department, volunteering at a local racetrack, or helping out at a community organization like a dog shelter – there’s always a way to give back.” Here are some practical ways to get started: Reach Out Locally: Check with fire departments, community centers, or local businesses to see where help is needed. Follow Interests: For those who are passionate about animals, look into local shelters or rescues. If drawn to emergency services, explore volunteer opportunities at fire departments or safety organizations. Stay Committed to Learning: Scott emphasizes the importance of growth, both personally and professionally. He suggests taking classes or seeking mentorship in areas where you want to contribute. Celebrating an Everyday Champion “Scott Finco is the embodiment of what it means to be an Everyday Champion,” says Peter Tiezzi, General Manager of Motorsports at Whelen Engineering, adding “His dedication, leadership, and humility inspire everyone around him, and we’re proud to honor him for his incredible contributions to racetrack safety.” Scott will be celebrated at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina in February, joining a distinguished list of past honorees in the Whelen Hall of Champions. His story is a reminder that everyday heroes are all around us – dedicated individuals who turn their passion into a force for good.

Whelen Engineering is proud to announce a new partnership with Econolite, part of Umovity and provider of Centracs® Priority software, that will expand the traffic preemption capabilities of its innovative software, the Whelen Cloud Platform® (WCP®). Whelen Cloud Platform features The Whelen Cloud Platform® (WCP®) is a cloud-based vehicle communication platform that sends and receives data through cellular networks. Prominent features of the WCP include the ability to manage vehicle configurations and firmware updates remotely, create faster response times with real-time information to pinpoint vehicle locations, and easily organize fleets with Whelen product information.  Whelen’s partnership with Econolite will provide enhanced traffic preemption features that empower police, fire, EMS, and other fleets to request a green light upon approach, helping clear intersections and making emergency response and roadways safer. safety, support, and efficiency “At Whelen, we are always in search of new and innovative ways to provide more comprehensive protection for those who protect and serve others,” says Whelen CEO, Geoff Marsh. He adds, “This new partnership with Econolite will strengthen the capabilities of our Whelen Cloud Platform, allowing us to offer enhanced safety, support, and efficiency to America’s heroes as they travel to active scenes.” custom software Econolite’s Centracs integrates the latest in sensor technologies and crowdsourced datasets The flexible architecture of Econolite’s Centracs provides cities and transportation agencies with the ability to customize the software to their specific traffic control needs, integrating the latest in sensor technologies and crowdsourced datasets. "Centracs’ Priority solution is the ideal platform, providing a foundation to aggregate and leverage traditional and non-traditional detection system traffic data," said David Spinney, Econolite’s Vice President of Systems Software. emergency and priority vehicle location data David Spinney adds, "The widespread availability of mobile connections, including cellular-based emergency vehicle devices has made traffic data on-demand a significant source of real-time vehicle location information."  He continues, "This type of ‘Infrastructure-less’ data has already been leveraged for traffic incident reporting, predictive modeling, and travel time estimation. We are excited to expand the use of emergency and priority vehicle location data available from Whelen’s cellular-based equipment with Centracs Priority."

Whelen Engineering is pleased to announce the release of version 2.9.0 for the Whelen Cloud Platform® (WCP®). This update introduces new functionality, system optimizations, and extended vehicle support. Key Updates in WCP version 2.9.0: User Alerts Management: Alerts are now automatically prevented from being sent to deactivated users, ensuring more accurate communications. Expanded Alert Timing Options: Additional intervals of 15 and 30 seconds have been added to the ‘Wait to Send Alert’ dropdown, providing greater flexibility in alert scheduling. Enhanced Vehicle Maintenance: Support for Ford F-150 and F-250 models has been integrated, extending the platform’s maintenance capabilities. Updated Fleet Data: The Engine Hours feature has been updated for Ford Explorer vehicles to improve data accuracy. Analytics Optimization: The default start and end dates on the Analytics Dashboard and Analytics Logs pages are now set to a 1-week range, allowing for more streamlined data review. Action Required Restart the Whelen Cloud Platform application to activate these latest enhancements. For a complete list of changes and improvements or for those who have any questions or require assistance, please contact a Whelen sales representative.