GPS Tracking Device Introduced by RoGO Communications for Wildfire Firefighters in the Wilderness
In the Western United States, RoGO Communications' satellite-based products and services are making a significant impact on wildland firefighting efforts. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management has tested DropBlocks, a small and lightweight device designed to track the location of crews, equipment, and resources, and found them suitable for field tests.
DropBlock 2.0, the latest iteration of this technology, offers a robust, integrated communication and data platform that leverages satellite connectivity, real-time location tracking, and IoT sensor integration.
- Satellite Communication for Connectivity Anywhere DropBlock 2.0 uses satellite communication to maintain reliable, high-bandwidth data links in remote or disaster-affected areas where traditional cellular or radio networks may be compromised or unavailable. This ensures continuous voice, text, and data connectivity for first responders during wildfires, enabling effective coordination and command.
- Real-Time Location Tracking The system incorporates GPS-based location tracking for personnel and equipment, providing incident commanders with accurate, real-time positions of teams in the field. This enhances situational awareness, helps coordinate movement safely around active fire zones, and improves resource allocation.
- IoT Sensor Data Integration DropBlock 2.0 supports the integration of various IoT sensors deployed in wildfire environments—such as air quality monitors, fire detection devices, temperature sensors, and environmental hazard monitors. These sensors feed crucial data back in real-time via satellite links, enabling faster detection of new fires, monitoring fire behavior, and assessing environmental risks.
- Edge Computing and Data Fusion The device often includes edge computing capabilities to aggregate and preprocess IoT sensor data and location inputs, reducing bandwidth requirements and latency in critical decision-making scenarios. This fusion of data helps first responders get a comprehensive operational picture quickly.
- Enhanced Safety and Efficiency By ensuring reliable communication and accurate, timely data, DropBlock 2.0 improves the safety of first responders, supports rapid response to emerging threats, and enhances overall operational efficiency during wildfire incidents, which can be chaotic and rapidly evolving.
Task Force Leaders receive a broadband satellite terminal with high-bandwidth satellite data connectivity to receive DropBlock GPS locations and weather data from handcrews and equipment. This data is also shared with Incident Command.
A new smartphone app in development by RoGO will provide point-to-point communications and tactical collaboration at the edge, in addition to sharing location and weather data. The new smartphone app is expected to improve communication and collaboration during emergency situations.
DropBlocks are designed to function in remote areas where cellular networks are typically not available. They share hyper-local weather information from portable weather stations, including wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity, and other IoT sensor data.
According to Rod Goossen, the chief executive officer of RoGO, the new DropBlocks are better equipped for immediate deployment during a wildfire, the time of most dangerous risk to firefighters. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management tested DropBlocks with six wildland fire handcrews, suggesting their potential for real-world application.
RoGO Communications is a company that develops lifesaving technology for firefighters and first responders. Their products and services support first responders in various disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and search and rescue teams. The new DropBlocks are smaller in size and weight, making them suitable for wildland firefighters who often hike into remote areas with no cellular networks.
- The integration of DropBlock 2.0's satellite communication system in environmental-science applications can foster real-time data transmission, making it an efficient tool for climate-change studies in remote, hard-to-reach regions.
- RoGO Communications' smartphone app, currently in development, seeks to combine point-to-point communications with tactical collaboration, contributing to enhanced technology solutions in the world of sports, such as mixed-martial-arts, where fast and effective communication can lead to strategic advantages.
- Gadget enthusiasts might find interested in the miniaturization trend seen in DropBlocks, as they represent advancements in the field of technology, becoming smaller and lighter to cater to the needs of various sectors, including outdoor sports and environmental-science research.
- Data-and-cloud-computing platforms, like those used in DropBlock 2.0, can serve as a foundation for scientific research on numerous subjects, ranging from the effects of climate-change on ecosystems to the evolution of sports techniques, due to their ability to collect, analyze, and distribute large amounts of data in real-time.
