1 / 21

Firefighter Geo-Location Devices

This comprehensive review explores the critical role of geo-location and ultrasound technologies in firefighting and rescue operations. The article discusses the limitations of traditional GPS in challenging environments, emphasizing the need for reliable tracking solutions that function 100% of the time, even in smoke and high temperatures. It highlights the advantages of ultrasonic systems for locating victims through barriers, detailing tactical and rescue requirements. The integration of these technologies aims to improve accountability, resource management, and overall firefighter safety during emergencies.

cian
Télécharger la présentation

Firefighter Geo-Location Devices

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. FirefighterGeo-Location Devices Wayne C. Haase, Ph.D. Summit Safety, Inc.

  2. Why Geo-Location? • Tactical • Management of Resources • Accountability • Rescue

  3. Requirements

  4. General Requirements • Work 100% of the time • Work in 100% of buildings/structures • Work through smoke, steam, fire • Work at high temperatures • Easy to use: KISS • Reasonable cost • Small, lightweight

  5. GPS: Answer to all requirements? • Accuracy: 10-15 feet, outside, clear sky • Differential GPS won’t work in building • Won’t work past 1 layer into building • Lower frequency for better RF penetration • Larger wavelength • Reduced accuracy • Radio waves do not penetrate metals • Distance includes path around metals • Reduced accuracy • Radio waves travel at speed of light • Slower in dielectrics (walls, building’s contents) • Reduced accuracy

  6. Technologies • Optical • Radio • Sound • Inertial : ultraviolet, visible, infrared : UWB, GPS, cellular, FM, AM : audible, ultrasound : accelerometers, gyroscopes

  7. Technology Performance

  8. Why Ultrasound for Rescue? • Not affected by fire environment • Small, directional receiver • No Rayleigh scattering by smoke • Reflected waves: locate victim behind obstacles, behind doors, and around corners • No wall penetration: no blind alleys • Indicates path to firefighter

  9. Far-Field PASS & Pulse Beams 227º D = 2 in f = 4 KHz D = 3 in f = 40 KHz 15º 227º

  10. Pulse System • Personnel Ultrasonic Locating Safety Equip • Beacon: omnidirectional transmitter • Tracker: directional receiver • Firefighter, exit, civilian (tot-finder) Beacons • Range: 150+ feet • Search Time: 2-5 minutes (typical)

  11. Beacon • Ultrasonic transmitter • Activation clip • Manual alarm switch • 2 reset switches • LED indicators • Audible annunciator • Motion sensor • Monitor/Pre-Alarm/Alarm • Lightweight: 7 oz (w/batt) PASS

  12. Tracker • Directional U/S receiver • LED bargraph for signal • Audible annunciator with mute switch • LED bargraph for battery • Mode switch & LEDs (Firefighter, Civilian, Exit) • Lightweight: 14 oz (w/batt)

  13. San Diego Firehouse Expo HOT: 1a Missed Door And Victim 3 2 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

  14. San Diego Firehouse Expo HOT: 1b Missed Victim (Second Time) 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 3 3 3 1 3 2 3 2 3 3 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2

  15. San Diego Firehouse Expo HOT: 1c 1 1 1 Blind Search Time: 35 min 1 1 1 1

  16. San Diego Firehouse Expo HOT: 2 Beacon behind desk on chair Search Time: 4-5 min using Pulse System

  17. San Diego Firehouse Expo HOT: 3 Closed Door Room search not necessary X Search Time: Approx 3 min using Pulse Beacon covered with metal trash can

  18. Providence Survival Seminar HOT: 1 Abandoned Supermarket: Victim believed in center 1 2 1 2 110 ft Search Time: Approx 4 minutes using Pulse Distance Traveled: Approx 80 ft 145 ft

  19. Providence Survival Seminar HOT: 2 Abandoned Supermarket : Victim believed in center Search Time: Approx 5 min using Pulse Distance Traveled: Approx 80 feet 110 ft 2 1 2 1 145 ft

  20. Syracuse NYSAFC HOT Activated PASS Search Time: 12-18 min using PASS

  21. Summary • Tactical vs Rescue: different requirements • GPS won’t work for Rescue • Technologies: Optical, Radio, Sound, Inertial • No one technology for all situations • Radio/Inertial best for Tactical • Sound (Ultrasound) best for Rescue • Pulse System: Beacon & Tracker • Rescue examples from HOT evolutions

More Related