Akron Brass at FDIC 2026: Waterflow Connected for Today

FDIC International has always been about readiness under pressure, and for Akron Brass, it’s an opportunity to reinforce our long‑standing commitment to the fire service. For generations, firefighters have trusted Akron Brass for the fundamentals that matter most on the fireground—nozzles, valves, and monitors designed to deliver dependable waterflow when conditions are anything but predictable. 

At FDIC this year, our focus was simple: show up with the tools crews know, trust, and rely on, while demonstrating how modern connectivity strengthens that foundation. From proven waterflow hardware to intelligent, connected solutions, Akron Brass showcased how we continue to support firefighters before the call, during the attack, and well beyond the scene. 

FDIC also highlighted how Akron Brass and SAM automation work together to keep waterflow steady as scenarios evolve. 

SAM BOOST demonstrated how connected automation locks in consistent pressure the moment the pump engages, freeing operators to focus on the scene. Designed as a compact retrofit for existing apparatus, SAM BOOST delivers automated discharges, tank‑to‑pump automation, and a digital governor, often installed in just a few days. Its value was especially clear for departments facing limited staffing, long hose stretches, or rural water supply challenges. 

At the same time, firefighters experienced the SAM Smart Nozzle 2.0 firsthand. Inside the booth and in the outdoor demo space, crews charged lines, flowed water, and explored how real‑time system awareness lives right at the nozzle. Tank levels, water source status, and pressure issues caused by friction loss or elevation changes were displayed instantly allowing firefighters to adjust on the fly without radio calls or delay. 

Together, SAM BOOST and SAM Smart Nozzle 2.0 showed how intelligent control leads to smoother operations and greater confidence when conditions shift unexpectedly. 

At FDIC, we formally introduced the Flat‑Out Assault Ring Kit to the fire service as a retrofit option built from technology firefighters already know and trust. The flat disperse pattern comes directly from Akron Brass’s proven FireFox monitor, bringing that same controlled, directional water application down to the handline. Designed as a field installable upgrade and available in 1” and 1.5” kits, the Flat‑Out Assault allows departments to expand capability without replacing existing Assault nozzles or changing how crews operate. 

That introduction quickly turned into a conversation. Throughout the week, firefighters stopped by the booth to talk through where the nozzle fits, how the flat disperse pattern could be used, and what it would look like on their own rigs. Many of those discussions naturally moved outside, where attendees had the chance to put the Flat-out Assault to work. 

In the outdoor demo space, firefighters flowed water through the nozzle, running familiar straight stream and power cone patterns before switching to flat disperse with a simple quarter turn. That hands‑on time made it easy to see how the flat disperse option could support wildland/WUI, wide‑area coverage, transitional attack, and exposure control—while still feeling familiar and intuitive at the nozzle. 

By the end of those demos, the takeaway was clear. The Flat‑Out Assault fits naturally into current tactics, builds on tools firefighters already trust, and gives crews another dependable option for controlling water placement without adding complexity. It was less about introducing something entirely new, and more about expanding what firefighters can already do on the line. 

As FDIC conversations moved beyond the nozzle and discharge, many attendees spoke with the Akron Brass team about what’s happening behind the panels; specifically, how apparatus controls are evolving to support safer, more reliable operations. Those discussions often led to V‑MUX. 

Firefighters, technicians, and OEM partners shared familiar challenges with traditional wiring: crowded installs, difficult troubleshooting, and growing complexity as apparatus systems expand. V‑MUX addressed those concerns with a multiplexing platform designed specifically for fire and EMS vehicles. 

Why the conversation mattered: 

Throughout the week, attendees also explored how V‑MUX supports connected operations. Designed to integrate with FireLink, SAM, SAM BOOST, and Captium, V‑MUX provides the control backbone that allows automation, data, and system awareness to work together across the apparatus. 

The takeaway was simple. V‑MUX isn’t about adding complexity; it’s about delivering smarter control, easier operation, and a future‑ready electrical platform that crews and departments can trust for the long haul.