Engineered Together. Ready Together.

FDIC International is a meeting ground for the fire industry — a place where firefighters, leaders, and partners gather to learn, teach, and advance the conversations that shape readiness and performance on the fireground. At FDIC 2026, IDEX Fire & Safety was proud to show up as one connected presence, bringing our brands together to demonstrate what it truly means to be Engineered Together. Ready Together. 

Throughout the week, we connected with firefighters, officers, fleet leaders, and industry partners from around the world. Conversations consistently centered on the realities of today’s fireground: limited staffing, evolving tactics, increasing demands on apparatus, and the need for equipment that works together seamlessly when the rig stops and the work begins. 

At FDIC, our presence wasn’t about individual products standing alone; it was about showing how Hale, Akron Brass, Weldon, SAM, and HURST Jaws of Life operate as a single, coordinated system, supported by shared Captium intelligence and designed to help departments stay ready before the call and confident on scene. 

What sets IDEX Fire & Safety apart is how our products are engineered to work together as a single, connected system, on the apparatus and on the scene. Each solution plays a specialized role, but the real advantage comes from how they share information to reduce uncertainty and support firefighters and command with clearer, more timely insight. 

At the center of that system is Captium, the connected data platform that transforms apparatus, pumping, waterflow, and rescue tool data into actionable intelligence. At FDIC, we announced expanded Captium integrations, marking a significant step forward in how departments can unlock the value of data already generated by trucks in service and deliver it where it’s most effective. By securely streaming apparatus and pump data into trusted third‑party platforms, Captium brings real‑time confirmation and visibility to both the cab and the firefighter, without requiring new trucks, antennas, or vehicle data plans. 

These newly announced partnerships extend Captium’s role as a trusted data hub across the fireground. Integrations with platforms such as FLORIAN, Qwake, ArcGIS, First Due, and Safety Cloud® by HAAS Alert allow apparatus intelligence to flow seamlessly into the tools departments already rely on for command, situational awareness, reporting, and roadway safety. Pump pressures, water levels, supply status, unit location, and system alerts move from isolated systems into shared operational views; supporting clearer command decisions, faster confirmation for crews, and more accurate documentation after the call. 

Together, these partnerships reinforce Captium’s purpose: modernizing fireground intelligence while minimizing distraction. Rather than asking firefighters to manage more screens or systems, Captium enables information to appear where it’s most useful; whether that’s within command software, mapping platforms, reporting tools, or directly in a firefighter’s line of sight. The result is a more connected response that enhances readiness, improves confidence, and supports safer operations across the entire incident.

Hale was glad to have the opportunity to connect with the fire service community at FDIC, spending time with firefighters, OEMs, and industry partners to talk pumps, water, and real fireground operations. The show floor and outdoor areas gave Hale space not just to show equipment, but to have the kind of conversations that come from decades of shared experience; how water is moved, managed, and trusted when crews are operating under pressure. 

Outside, those conversations were backed up with live demonstrations of the SAM System in action. SAM‑equipped apparatus supplied water throughout the outdoor demo space to every outside waterflow vendor, automatically managing flow as demand changed. With multiple lines flowing at once, the system adjusted in real time to maintain steady pressure, giving firefighters a firsthand look at how connected pumping can reduce workload while supporting consistent operations across the scene. 

FDIC also served as the setting for Hale to introduce the QMAX‑APX fire pump in its own dedicated space. Building on the long‑trusted QMAX platform, the next‑generation QMAX‑APX reflects how pump design is evolving alongside modern apparatus, emissions systems, and connected fireground technology. The preview offered a look ahead at how Hale is carrying proven pump performance forward while preparing for what’s next in fire service operations. 

At FDIC, Akron Brass showed up the way firefighters know it best:as a steady, dependable presence in water control. For generations, crews have relied on Akron Brass nozzles, valves, and monitors to do one critical job: put water exactly where it needs to go. This year’s show was about reinforcing that trust and giving firefighters time to get hands‑on with the tools that make waterflow simpler, more predictable, and more effective on the fireground. 

A big part of that experience was the SAM Smart Nozzle, which attendees were able to pick up and use for themselves. Firefighters flowed water, explored the interface at the nozzle, and saw how system awareness can live right at the point of attack. With SAM Smart Nozzle 2.0 shipments heading out to crews this year, FDIC gave departments a chance to see how intelligent nozzle control fits naturally into real operations, streamlining communication and supporting greater confidence on the line. 

FDIC also provided the opportunity to introduce the Flat Out Assault Nozzle as a retrofit kit built from technology firefighters already know and trust. The flat disperse pattern comes directly from Akron Brass’s proven FireFox monitor, bringing that same controlled, directional water application down to the handline. Designed as a field‑installable upgrade, the Flat Out Assault kit allows departments to expand capability without replacing existing Assault nozzles or changing how crews operate. Available in 1” and 1.5” kits. 

And firefighters didn’t just hear about it; they put it to work. In the outdoor demo area, attendees flowed water through the Flat Out Assault during live demonstrations, switching between familiar stream patterns and the new flat disperse option to see how it performs under real conditions. That hands‑on experience helped crews see how the retrofit fits naturally into current tactics while giving them another dependable option for controlling water placement on today’s fireground. 

At FDIC, HURST Jaws of Life was centered on connection; spending meaningful time with firefighters, rescue instructors, and dealers from across the rescue community. The event created space for hands‑on interaction and real conversations about rescue realities, training needs, and performance in the field, reinforcing the long-standing role of HURST Jaws of Life as a trusted partner in technical rescue. 

Live car‑cutting demonstrations brought that purpose into focus. HURST Jaws of Life rescue specialists performed real extrication evolutions using E3 CONNECT tools, showcasing the durability, control, and precision crews depend on during vehicle rescues. These were not scripted moments, but realistic scenarios that highlighted how thoughtful tool design supports safer, more efficient decision-making when every move counts. 

FDIC also marked the official announcement of Captium™ IQ, a new AI-powered service technician mobile app from HURST Jaws of Life. Built on the Captium platform, Captium IQ combines intelligent diagnostics, guided service workflows, and data‑driven insights to help technicians and departments identify issues faster, reduce downtime, and keep critical rescue tools in service. The new app reflects the commitment from HURST Jaws of Life to supporting the rescue community not only during the incidents, but throughout the entire lifecycle of the tool.  

Together, the live demonstrations, hands‑on testing, and the launch of Captium IQ showed how HURST Jaws of Life continues to pair proven rescue performance with smarter support; delivering purpose-built tools backed by the power crews rely on in critical moments.  

FDIC International reinforced what IDEX Fire & Safety is all about. Not just individual brands. Not just advanced equipment. But a connected system designed to support firefighters with intelligence, coordination, and confidence — before the call, on scene, and beyond. 

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, flowed water, tested tools, asked questions, and shared real‑world insight with our teams. We’re proud of what we showcased together and even more proud of who we build it for. 

IDEX Fire & Safety 
Engineered Together. Ready Together.