Is the Frontier Shifting into the Right Direction? A Qualitative Analysis of Acceptance Factors for Novel Firefighter Information Technologies

The use of innovative information technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles, intelligent protective clothing, or digital plans is frequently pursued to improve the effectiveness of emergency response processes. So far, however, little effort has been made to study the acceptance of such innovative information technologies by firefighters, who are supposed to use them in their daily practice. In this paper, we present the results of a qualitative study, in which we interviewed 21 members of German fire departments to gain insights into the perceived potential of seven emerging technologies from a Diffusion of Innovations perspective. The results suggest that firefighters find emerging technologies to deliver potential advantages. Factors characterizing disadvantages, the perceived compatibility, and complexity of emerging technologies were viewed as potentially substantial acceptance barriers, however. These factors ought to be taken into consideration when designing new technologies to ensure that they indeed meet the practical needs of the users.