How a firefighter’s frustration led to better technology to fight fires episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 6, 2025 · 27 MIN

How a firefighter’s frustration led to better technology to fight fires

from St. Louis on the Air

About 15 years ago, Jason Cerrano was working for the Pattonville Fire Protection District when he conceptualized a way to make it more efficient for firefighters to put out fires. He wanted to automate how a fire truck selects its water source and pumps water, and allow pump operators to pay attention to other critical firefighting tasks. In this encore episode, Cerrano, a graduate of Missouri S&T, discusses how he invented the SAM Control System that more than 120 fire departments employ. We also hear from Chief Hans Mueller of the Freeburg Fire Protection District in Illinois about his department’s use of the technology.

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How a firefighter’s frustration led to better technology to fight fires

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This episode was published on August 6, 2025.

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About 15 years ago, Jason Cerrano was working for the Pattonville Fire Protection District when he conceptualized a way to make it more efficient for firefighters to put out fires. He wanted to automate how a fire truck selects its water source and...

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