Seneca

In a technoutopian future, autonomous systems can find, coordinate, and suppress fires with precision - auto-adjusting for shifting winds - and can knock or slow them down before they grow. It will be safer for firefighters when they arrive and it will keep communities protected and insured. This week, we demonstrated this capability in Sonoma, California. Multiple autonomous suppression craft coordinated, targeted, and suppressed an early fire in mid-windy conditions across multiple staged initial attack strikes. In advance of the @RedSkySummit, we were joined by leaders from @SBCOUNTYFIRE, @AspenFireDept, @CALFIRE_PIO, @NovatoFireDist, @PGE4Me, @GlendaleFireCA, @UCBerkeley, @tahoefund, and our home agency @GoldridgeFire.

Grateful to see @Seneca_Systems on this list. But more physical AI needs to go into applications serving out communities, and stewarding our planet. If you want to build AI + robotics for good, come join us. Link to careers below, or DM me. Thx to our friends @BessemerVP for putting this together.

We must tell optimistic stories about the future of wildfire. Many thanks to @billclerico, @KatManalac and the @disasterproofHQ team for sharing the story of Seneca -- and how autonomous early response can create meaningful change in the future of wildfire.

@HotshotWake is the most thoughtful voice on all things wildfire. Their ongoing coverage of how technology can support the fire service is essential listening. Check out yesterday's episode covering our upcoming deployment with the @AspenFireDept.

"We have this incredibly talented, devoted group of public servants. We want to give them the best technology in the world.” - Founder & CEO @Stu_Land Thank you to @cfarivar and @arstechnica for covering our upcoming deployment with the @AspenFireDept.

Night ops are coming.

The U.S. has a long history of leading the world in innovation through exceptional public, private partnerships. Grateful for @GovofCO's leadership in advancing the next generation of resilience.

The future of firefighting is coming to Aspen. As Chief Andersen states, "It's another tool in the toolbox that makes our communities safer, more insurable, and makes our firefighters safer." Thank you @ShannonOgden1 and @DenverChannel for having founder & CEO @Stu_Land on to highlight our groundbreaking partnership with the @AspenFireDept. Full story in the comments below.

It's an honor to partner with the @AspenFireDept and we're grateful for the ongoing support of the local community.

Fire is an issue of great importance to our nation. But, it is fundamentally a local issue, starting with the local Fire Department, local bureaus, local community action. So, it was terrific to talk to the local @NPR station @aspenpubradio about what @Seneca_Systems launch with @AspenFireDept means. As Chief Andersen puts it: this is "what most people think is going to be the future of firefighting." We agree, and are working non-stop to make that reality. 🇺🇸 🫡 Big thanks to @michaeljfanelli for the thoughtful article. Great connecting. Link in first comment.

Today @Seneca_Systems announces a five year contract with @AspenFireDept to bring a Seneca Strike Team of five aircraft plus a Mobile Air Operations Base to Aspen this summer. This is the first fire department acquisition of an autonomous aerial fire suppression system in the world. It is a testament to the work of the exceptional team at Seneca. And it will protect an irreplaceable natural environment and thousands of Americans, their homes and businesses. We want to work alongside people who make us better. It is a privilege we do not take lightly to roll this out in with Chief Jacob Andersen and the whole extraordinary team at Aspen Fire. Colorado has a long history of wildfire. The famous South Canyon fire in 1994 killed 14 firefighters. 4 of the 5 largest fires in CO history happened since 2020. And now - CO has red flag warnings in February, the middle of winter. The need has never been greater. Technology is our best chance to hold back the effects of wildfire in a changing world. We are grateful for the responsibility and privilege of doing that this summer in Aspen.

Colorado’s diverse terrain demands tools that support firefighters in use cases that were previously unsafe, inefficient, or impossible. Last week, Seneca partnered with @WestMetroFire, @VailFire, @RWBFire, @EagleRiverFire, and @jeffcosheriffco to demonstrate the future of aerial firefighting. As peak fire season approaches, we must equip the heroes on the line with the technology they need. A huge thank you to our hosts Deputy Chief Mike Kirkpatrick, Deputy Chief Ryan Ocepek, and @aspenfire.

With snowpack at record lows, Colorado is facing an expanded window of extreme fire risk. We need innovative solutions to force-multiply firefighters in these unprecedented times. Last week, Seneca was on site with @bouldercounty, @LovelandFRA, @poudrefire, @BldrCOSheriff, and @BoulderRescue to demonstrate remotely deployed missions, suppressing fires over 1000 miles away with the touch of a button. This is the moment to modernize our firefighting arsenal. Many thanks to our hosts @aspenfire, Chief Carie Dann, and Hunter Ray.

One year ago today, high winds in the Palisades turned a small ember—likely left over from mop-up operations—into a devastating urban-conflagration fire. Firefighters were stretched dangerously thin, but their relentless efforts saved lives and prevented an even greater catastrophe. Our hearts go out to everyone living with the aftermath of the fires, from brave firefighters facing the effects of prolonged toxin exposure, to homeowners still struggling to rebuild. Our gratitude remains immense for the first responders who courageously ran towards danger when they were needed most.

Chief Brian Fennessy has been selected as the inaugural Director of the United States Wildland Fire Service. His mission-driven leadership, commitment to firefighter safety, and implementation of innovative technology will ensure the USWFS delivers for those on the front lines and the communities they protect. We’re sincerely grateful for Chief Fennessy’s long-standing friendship and guidance since Seneca’s earliest days. Congratulations, @OCFAChief

In anticipation of our collaborative demonstration with @SBCOUNTYFIRE, Founder & CEO @Stu_Land joined the San Bernardino PIO Podcast to discuss firefighter safety, advances in autonomous aircraft, and reshoring American manufacturing. It is a privilege to build alongside our nation’s courageous firefighters. Technological innovation is how we will keep our heroes and communities safe, and ultimately win against out of control fire. Listen to the full podcast here: open.spotify.com/episode/0lcCMC…

"In San Bernardino County we have a vision of keeping wildfire 100 square feet or less… this is a far departure of the industry standard of 10 acres or less. We can only achieve this ambitious goal with an ambitious vision. Seneca is a huge part of that vision." - Dan Munsey, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District An honor to demonstrate our capabilities with San Bernardino County Fire this week. We need to stop small fires before they become megafires. This is the moment to modernize our firefighting arsenal.

Couldn't be more excited to announce the launch of @Seneca_Systems this week with @Stu_Land Our first product is an autonomous, AI-powered, rapid response firefighting drone. We're super fortunate to have raised $60m from amazing folks like @tonsing of @caffeinatedcap, @joshk of @firstround, @mattocko of @DCVC, @wquist and @lessin of @slow, and many others.