Watchbird enters strategic partnership with former Bergen Fire Chief to pioneer SAFEgaiter testing for first responders
Foto: Siv Kristin Hovland, Bergen brannvesen
Watchbird (WB) is proud to announce a strategic collaboration with Leif Linde, former Fire Chief for the Bergen region, to kickstart testing of the SAFEgaiter in the fire and rescue sector. With over 40 years of hands-on experience from frontline rescue operations to national leadership roles in fire safety, Linde brings unique insight and unmatched credibility to this important expansion.
A Strategic Move into First Responder Safety
The signing of Leif Linde marks a major step forward in WB’s strategy to broaden the impact of our SAFEgaiter product line. Originally designed for SOF operators to protect against harmful particles and chemical exposure, the SAFEgaiter is now being tested and tailored to the demanding needs of first responders starting with firefighters.
With his deep operational knowledge and national-level perspective on fire and rescue readiness, Linde will play a pivotal role in ensuring that SAFEgaiter meets the practical needs and safety standards in the first responders segment.
“It is incredibly rewarding to work on protection and safety for rescue personnel together with Watchbird. Throughout my years from frontline to leadership, I’ve been passionate about creating safer working conditions for emergency responders, who are increasingly exposed to dangerous substances on the job. With the development of SAFEgaiter, I am fortunate to be working on exactly that.”
Deep insight from decades on the frontlines
Leif Linde’s background offers high relevance to this initiative. His journey spans from firefighter, smoke diver, and sea rescue diver, to incident commander and fire chief. He most recently led Vest Brann & Redning a joint operation uniting 18 fire departments across western Norway—through its establishment and growth from 2018 until his retirement.
Leif has represented Norway in Nordic rescue collaboration initiatives (RITS), revised national rescue handbooks, and played key roles in both operational and strategic management of major incidents such, the Hatvik ferry disaster, the Rocknes shipwreck, and multiple large-scale urban fires and international exercises.
Linde has also spearheaded public education efforts in rescue diving since the 1990s and served on national education boards, building a nationwide network in fire and rescue.
Beginning with Bergen
SAFEgaiter testing will begin in collaboration with several fire districts in the greater Bergen and Nedre Romerike region, where Linde’s and WB experience and network will accelerate both operational feedback and organizational adoption. His involvement is grounded in the requirement to constantly promote health and security kit for complexed and hazardous conditions which firefighters are facing —bringing true, frontline perspectives into the product development loop.
A Shared Mission
For WB, this partnership is more than a milestone, it’s a commitment. A commitment to listen to the people we aim to protect, to co-develop with experts who understand the risk landscape intimately, and to build solutions that actually make a difference.
We’re excited to take this next step in our mission to protect those who protect others