SAM Boost System Automates Fire Pump Controls
Created in 2015, the technology now assists over 250 fire departments across the United States and Canada.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Emergency Response
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The SAM Boost System, an automated pump control technology for fire rigs, manages water pressure during suppression operations to reduce operator stress. Developed in 2015, the system is now utilized by more than 250 fire departments across North America.
Why it matters
The system was designed to address communication failures and operational delays that can prove fatal in fast-moving fires. By automating complex pump tasks, the technology aims to increase the speed and effectiveness of fire crews during emergency response.
The SAM Boost System serves as an automated interface for fire engines, managing water pressure to counter the reality that fire can double in size every 30 to 60 seconds. The system monitors pump health and alerts operators to errors through a digital screen.
The players
Jason Cerrano
He is the inventor of the SAM Boost System and a veteran firefighter who served for 20 years as a paramedic captain.
Pattonville Fire Protection District
This is the fire department where Cerrano served and where the initial implementation of his automated control system took place.
The details
Inventor Jason Cerrano, a veteran with 20 years of experience as a firefighter and paramedic captain with the Pattonville Fire Protection District, built the system to bridge critical gaps in field communication. The technology integrates directly with existing rigs to remove the human error and stress that often contribute to delays during life-critical fire suppression.
Timeline
Jason Cerrano created the SAM Boost System in 2015.
Details regarding the system were published as of October 24, 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
The adoption of the SAM Boost System reflects the long-term trend of moving from manual to automated control systems to improve safety and reliability. This shift mirrors the broader history of industrial automation, where integrating digital oversight replaces human error-prone tasks.
The widespread adoption of this system by fire departments significantly increases the speed at which crews can deploy water during structure fires. Faster pump activation helps stabilize fire scenes more quickly, directly increasing the safety of both the public and responding crews.
The takeaway
Automating technical tasks allows emergency responders to focus on the primary goal of fire suppression during high-stress incidents. Technologies that reduce the time between arrival and water application remain vital given how rapidly structural fires can progress.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Emergency Response.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Firstalert4.
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