New GPS tracking system, DropBlock, debuts by RoGO Communications, designed for wildland firefighters
RoGO Communications Introduces DropBlock 2.0 for Enhanced Wildfire Response
In a significant advancement for wildland firefighting and disaster response, RoGO Communications has launched DropBlock 2.0 — an innovative safety and communication technology designed specifically for firefighters and first responders.
How DropBlock 2.0 Aids Wildland Firefighters and First Responders:
- Emergency Communication and Tracking: DropBlock 2.0 offers reliable communication links in remote or harsh environments, ensuring connectivity among team members and command centers.
- Location Awareness: The device provides accurate GPS tracking, allowing incident commanders to monitor the real-time locations of personnel on the ground, which is critical for managing crews and ensuring safety.
- Rapid Deployment: Easy to carry and deploy, DropBlock 2.0 enables quick setup during fast-moving emergencies to establish communication and tracking infrastructure on the spot.
- Durability: Built to withstand extreme environmental conditions typical of wildland firefighting scenarios, it remains operational despite heat, smoke, dirt, and rough handling.
- Enhanced Safety: By improving communication and location tracking, DropBlock 2.0 helps reduce risks like personnel getting lost, delayed rescues, or miscommunication that can lead to injuries or fatalities.
Field-Testing and Collaboration
RoGO satellite-based products and services have been field-tested by various agencies in the Western United States for firefighting purposes. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, for instance, field-tested DropBlocks with six wildland fire handcrews, suggesting the smaller size of DropBlock 2.0 for better deployment in wildfire situations.
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 shared with Incident Command, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Expanding Capabilities
The new smartphone app in development by RoGO Communications will complement the sharing of location and weather data provided by DropBlocks. It is expected to expand the capabilities of DropBlock 2.0 by providing additional communication features, further enhancing immediate tactical coordination and lifesaving situational awareness.
DropBlocks are designed to track the location of various resources such as bulldozers, water tenders, fire engines, high-value structures, medical evacuation rescue, and makeshift water resources. This enables effective management and deployment of resources during emergencies.
Founded by Rod Goossen and his brother Derek, RoGO Communications is a company dedicated to developing lifesaving technology for firefighters and first responders. The reduced size and weight of DropBlock 2.0, as stated by Rod Goossen, better enables immediate deployment to support the initial attack of a wildfire.
In summary, DropBlock 2.0 is a cutting-edge tool that enhances the safety, coordination, and effectiveness of wildland firefighting and emergency response teams by ensuring they can communicate and track field personnel reliably, even in challenging environments. The new smartphone app is expected to further enhance these capabilities, providing point-to-point communications and tactical collaboration at the edge.
