Skip to main content
Technology Summit International Main banner
Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.

Before Buying Tech, Prove the Problem and Prioritize With Data

Tuesday, December 9, 2025
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM CT
Location: Junior Ballroom B

    Co-Presenter(s)

  • Mark Niemeyer

    CEO/Executive Director
    Western Fire Chiefs Association
    Middleton, Idaho

  • David Blankinship

    Public Safety Technology Advisor
    Darkhorse Emergency
    Colorado Springs, Colorado

  • Matthew Portteus

    Principle Investigator and Operations Advisor
    Western Fire Chiefs Association
    Meridian, Idaho

This session is about making sure you know the real problem before spending another dime on technology. We put the focus on data and use the Pareto principle to find what actually drives the most impact in your department, not just the new features vendors want to sell you. You will learn to map out your current data, figure out what is truly essential, and separate the needs from the “nice to have.” With live, on-the-spot polls during the session, you will get a read on industry maturity and leave with a list of priorities that help you cut waste and make stronger technology choices.