Press Releases
Public Safety Agencies Are Frustrated With How They Buy Gear. Here's What They Want Instead.
Scuba.com Solutions shares firsthand insights from the trade show circuit on what's really driving purchasing decisions in 2026.
New York - NY, June 12, 2026
After spending the past several months on the public safety trade show circuit, including events like the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) and the Midwest Public Safety Divers' Conference (MPSDA), Scuba.com Solutions and Adorama Business Solutions are sharing what they're hearing from agencies on the front lines.
The observations were compiled by Mary Lawrence of Scuba.com's editorial team and James Bushey, Director of Pro Services at Adorama Business Solutions, and reflect direct conversations with firefighters, marine units, search-and-rescue teams, and public safety divers from across the country.
"Whether we were speaking with fire professionals or public safety dive teams, the same themes kept surfacing," said Mary Lawrence. "Agencies are under real pressure to operate faster, reduce risk to their personnel, and do more with limited budgets and staffing."
Four priorities are coming up in nearly every conversation:
1. Procurement Bottlenecks Are a Top Frustration
Agencies are calling for a faster, more transparent purchasing experience. Traditional procurement, relying on manual quotes, fragmented vendor relationships, and multi-week timelines, is increasingly at odds with the pace at which agencies need to operate. Departments are actively seeking real-time inventory visibility, tax-exempt purchasing, purchase order support, and dedicated account management.
Scuba.com Solutions' free business portal addresses exactly that, giving agencies direct access to all of it, online, without the wait.
2. Risk-Reduction Technology Is Now Essential, Not Optional
Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), underwater drones, sonar systems, and aerial drones generated significant interest across events this year, and agencies are no longer treating them as futuristic. As prices have dropped considerably, smaller departments with limited staffing are adopting entry-level robotics that allow teams to assess hazardous environments before deploying personnel.
"Agencies are realizing they don't necessarily need the most expensive solution to make a major impact," noted Bushey. "Sometimes even an entry-level ROV can help teams avoid putting a diver in the water unnecessarily."
3. Summer Operations Are Driving Urgent Equipment Sourcing
With summer in full swing, agencies are actively procuring rescue gear, dry suits, helmets, personal flotation devices, rescue rafts, and underwater communication systems ahead of the seasonal surge in water-related incidents. Full-face masks with integrated communications, enabling direct contact between divers and surface teams in zero-visibility conditions, are a particular area of focus for public safety dive teams.
4. Education and Long-Term Support Are as Important as the Gear
Agencies aren't simply buying equipment; they're looking for partners who can help them evaluate, deploy, and train on it. Questions like "What sonar system fits our mission?" and "How do we train personnel on this equipment?" are becoming central to every purchasing conversation. Through its Pro Services team and connection to Adorama Business Solutions, Scuba.com Solutions gives agencies a single point of contact for expert guidance, training resources, and technical support across marine, rescue, and technology categories.
The complete analysis is available at https://www.scuba.com/blog/trends-in-public-safety-operations/
About Scuba.com Solutions
Scuba.com Solutions is the B2B division of Scuba.com, serving government agencies, public safety teams, enterprise organizations, and educational institutions with professional-grade scuba, diving, underwater robotics, marine rescue, and water safety equipment from the industry's leading brands. Business customers get access to a dedicated online portal, expert Pro Services support, and a dedicated account manager who also connects them to Adorama Business Solutions for a full suite of imaging, technology, and AV solutions, all under one relationship. Register for a free business account at www.scuba.com/g/corporate-sales.
About Scuba.com
Scuba.com is a leading online retailer of scuba, freediving, water sports, and marine equipment, serving recreational divers, military customers, and public safety agencies across the United States. Scuba.com's Military & Public Safety division offers specialized gear, ERDI public safety diver training resources, and dedicated business purchasing support through Scuba.com Solutions.
About Adorama Business Solutions
Adorama Business Solutions (ABS) is the B2B division of Adorama, providing imaging, technology, and equipment solutions to government agencies, educational institutions, and enterprise organizations. Through its partnership with Scuba.com, ABS extends its capabilities to marine, rescue, and public safety equipment categories.
Contacts:
Mary Lawrence
(630) 877-4676
maryl@scuba.com
www.scuba.com/g/corporate-sales
