In this conversation with Matt Hoehler, we talk about how NIST is incorporating video to give people a much more immersive experience in wildland and structural fires. “One reason this is valuable, is just the ability to allow somebody to experience a fire from a perspective that they would otherwise not be able to experience, allows people to understand what we do in fire research and also what, you know, fire protection experts and what firefighters do and the environments that they’re working in,” said Hoehler. “So, being able to just put cameras in this environment, there’s value of that in that and the fact that you’ve moved from a 2D view into a 360 view, means that the viewer gets to decide what they want to look at, rather than having whoever’s shooting a 2D photograph decide what you’re going to be looking at. “
Joseph Walters
Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshall (OSFM)
Executive Officer
Joe Walters is the Executive Officer for the State Fire Marshal, with the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal (OSFM). As the first “Executive Officer ” Joe has been integral in moving the OSFM into the 21st century, from technology advancements, fleet refreshments, equipment needs to health and wellness awareness. Since 2016, he has also led a part in the agencies community risk reduction programs. He has been proactive in fire prevention programs throughout the State and has assisted with the dissemination of important fire & life saving information via social media and other platforms. He currently sits on the Mid Atlantic Life Safety Conference Committee as the operations command, trying to enhance the program. By trade he is a fire investigator and worked in the field for several years prior to the appointment of Executive Officer. He worked several high profile cases and made many arson and explosive related arrests. He has had the opportunity to sit in forums such as the Truman Symposiums and the FEMA AFG content development group. On his off time, he is a 20-year veteran of the volunteer fire service where he currently serves in the role of Captain. He has held many roles including Assistant Treasurer and Vice President. He is also an instructor for the National Safe Boating Council and specialize in the maritime rescue discipline. He and his wife own a small custom t-shirt business, which was started just before the birth of their child, in 2015. When not working, he loves sitting on the Chesapeake Bay on his boat or tearing up the mud four wheeling in the woods.
