The Test Path lays out a clear, three‑tier trust hierarchy so agencies know exactly what a technology has demonstrated.
A technology is first validated, meaning it has proven its performance under defined test conditions. It can then become conditionally approved, giving agencies limited, safeguarded operational use while full certification continues. The final tier, certified, represents accredited, third‑party confirmation that the technology meets established standards for safety, reliability, and performance.
This work moves through a 24–30 month roadmap anchored in technology readiness levels (TRLs). The roadmap progresses from Baseline to Foundation, then into Pilot Testing, Scaling, and finally Certification. Federal funding distinctions — research and development, test and evaluation, and operations and maintenance — are built in from the beginning so test results translate directly into procurement decisions.
Setting priorities is equally important. Technology categories are ranked using four urgency criteria: how widely they’re already deployed, whether testing infrastructure exists, how critical they are to life safety, and the level of procurement risk agencies face when adopting them without independent validation.
Next Steps
Fall 2026
The Collaborative will meet again in person on November 5, 2026 at Red Sky and share updates at partner symposiums. An updated Technology Test Path Guide — including a validated category‑to‑lab matrix — will be published. The team will also complete the WTTP Lexicon and the Test Standards & Protocols Register, including crosswalks that map fast‑track categories to existing standards. Phase 1 protocol development will begin for fast‑track categories as needed.
Longer Term
Looking ahead, the Collaborative will launch a public registry of validated, conditionally approved, and certified wildfire technologies. Work will begin on an advanced modeling group to evaluate the many risk, ember‑cast, and fire‑spread models that currently lack independent validation. The team will also develop a pathway for integrating international testing results and consider ANSI accreditation as protocols mature. The shared lexicon will continue to evolve as technologies and mechanisms advance.
Stay in the Know
The WTTP Collaborative is building the evidence base that fire agencies, procurement officials, and technology developers have been missing. Check back for new resources, meeting outcomes, and opportunities to participate as the Collaborative advances the standards, protocols, and partnerships that will drive safer communities, stronger response capabilities, and measurable risk reduction.
Get involved. Testing organizations, testbed operators, certifying bodies, technology developers, and public agencies interested in contributing test capacity, data, or expertise are encouraged to contact the program lead below.
For questions about this program, please contact: Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell