Driving innovation and trust at the intersection of public safety, technology, and community resilience

With over 13 years of experience in the public safety industry, Kevin Sofen has established himself as a trusted voice in bringing new technologies into the fire service. He has earned credibility within fire departments and first responder communities by focusing on operational relevance, simplicity, and mission-aligned partnerships.

Kevin’s work in public safety technology spans business development, product innovation, and field integration across Ascent Integrated Tech, W.S. Darley & Co., and several startups. At Ascent, efforts center on scaling WearTAK—a real-time location and health tracking system —through nationwide trial programs and mission-specific configurations for incident command. At Darley, initiatives include virtual reality training, drone-based disaster response tools, and sustainable water systems like Water in a Box, combining product innovation with global humanitarian impact.

In addition to his product and fieldwork, Kevin leads and coordinates technology-focused engagement efforts across the public safety sector. He drives programming and strategy for the Technology Summit International (TSI), hosted by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), bringing together tech leaders and practitioners worldwide to explore technology adoption and change management. He also launched the Next Gen Tech Summit at FDIC, focused on hands-on experiences that empower first responders through direct interaction with emerging tools. His weekly live talk show, Tech Talk Tuesday, further creates space for ongoing dialogue around innovation, challenges, and future opportunities in public safety tech.

A storyteller and community builder, Kevin has produced and hosted over 300 episodes of the Smart Firefighting Podcast, spotlighting public safety innovation and leadership. He also serves as an adjunct professor at DePaul University, guiding students in technology and innovation strategy with a public-sector lens.

Kevin contributes to global initiatives through his involvement with UNLEASH, a United Nations-affiliated group focused on sustainable development, emergency response, and community resilience. His ability to connect grassroots needs with strategic solutions continues to make an impact across public, private, and global domains.

An avid outdoorsman, Kevin enjoys fishing, paddle boarding, and spending time on the water, and serves on the board of directors for the Elkhart Lake Improvement Association, working to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the lake he calls home.