b'STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE TEN Fire and emergency services must continue independent rigorous research on all areas of operations and administration, to emphasize fire fighter health (physical and mental) and safety.Fire and emergency services must continue supporting and facilitating rigorous research to provide the necessary data to support informed, empirically validated decisions in all aspects of fire and emergency services. This national effort should be standards driven, non-proprietary, and results should be applicable and easily accessible. Defense industry research and development presents significant opportunities for technology transfer to fire and emergency services. BackgroundImproved effectiveness of fire and emergency services is directly tied to the ability to acquire, filter, input, integrate, and share accurate and timely information. This information is necessary to facilitate effective decision-making to embrace process, policy, and product improvements. Fire and emergency services equipment and apparatus should incorporate best-in-class, cost-effective, and interoperable technology to create an environment that promotes personnel health and safety and improves operational effectiveness for the community. When possible, innovations in other industries (e.g., Department of Defense) should be leveraged to promote transfer to fire and emergency services. Research should inform practices and policies to monitor and improve the overall health and safety of personnel. 17'