Smart Firefighting

Episode 48: Unlimited UAV Power

Mike sits down with Todd Stave of Blue Vigil. They discuss the common power problem with UAVs, Drone safety, and the advantages of tethers, on this episode of Smart Firefighting podcast.
Blue Vigil is a company that manufactures, distributes, and supports tether power systems for drones. Their main offering is the RS1000 Ground Power System. The system connects to a drone using a tether, which provides power to the UAV. The UAV can then stay in the air for as long as it is connected, potentially indefinitely. Compatibility is essential for a system like this. If a system doesn’t work with the most common public safety drones, it won’t be worthwhile. The RS1000 is compatible with the most popular drones on the market including the S1000, S900, Inspire 1, Inspire 2, Matrice 200, or any drone that operates on a 12V or 24V battery.
Being tethered offers a variety of benefits other than indefinite flight times. In many situations, a drone is utilized as an eye in the sky. With an untethered UAV, a pilot would need to be constantly operating the drone for fear of it flying off or dropping from power loss. A drone tethered to the RS1000 can be set up in at a specific altitude and left. If something goes wrong with the UAV, the tether keeps it from flying off and endangering those on the ground.
Blue Vigil’s RS1000 Ground Power System is an affordable and reliable system for public safety drone use. To learn more about Blue Vigil and their RS1000 Ground Power System visit here.
To purchase a RS1000 or a drone email MikeMocerino@Darley.com

Episode 47: Surviving the Firehouse

Kevin sits down with, Mauro Porcelli, the author of Surviving the Firehouse. They discussed Mauro’s firefighter and paramedic experience in the City of Orlando. He discusses how he decided that the premise of his book would follow a firefighter from first his first interest through his career to retirement. Kevin finds out which technologies most impacted Mauro’s career and what tech companies should do when they try to innovate in the fire service.
Mauro started his firefighting career at Marion County Fire/Rescue in 1988. Mauro’s career advancement was explosive at the age of 23 he was the youngest District Commander officers in the State of Florida. Mauro has earned commendations from The United States Congress, Florida House of Representatives and Florida State Governor's office including two medals of Distinction for Valor and Heroism in the line of duty. Mauro worked relentlessly to mentor rookie firefighters.
Surviving the Firehouse: A Rookies Guide to "Surviving the Firehouse and Fire Department Life" by Mauro Porcelli, is about the make or break moments that firefighters will face throughout their career. Mauro highlights rookies that make mistakes are often ostracized for not knowing what to do through no fault of their own. Mauro illuminates the disconnect between veterans and rookies and offers mentorship as the solution. Mauro postulates that many aspiring rookies have the potential to become incredible firefighters but are unable to succeed without the guidance from the experienced firefighters.
You can buy the book at amazon Or reach out to Mauro directly at survivingthefirehouse@gmail.com

Episode 46: DHS Shaken Fury

Kevin sits down with Cuong Luu to talk about the DHS’ Shaken Fury event. The event will take place in Birmingham, Alabama in August. The goal of the event is to prepare the city by integrating first responder capabilities in the event of an earthquake. DHS will also use the event to prepare for the 2021 wargame.
To prepare for this event, the DHS has put out a Request for Information. The request for information is a call to all industry, academia, and development centers to submit applications addressing innovative solutions for integration and testing. Innovators will have a chance to see their technology being used and integrated into disaster procedures moving forward.
The DHS S&T will evaluate the innovations to determine if the solutions fit their plan. They are looking for technologies that make first responders better protected, more connected, and more effective during major disasters. DHS is open to assess a variety of different solutions, so applicants shouldn’t feel discouraged if their innovation is unconventional.
The Shaken Fury event will be a great chance for companies with innovative first responder solutions to improve the effectiveness of first responders in major disaster situations.
The gaps the DHS S&T will be focused on:
1. Fixed, on-body or handheld sensors (e.g., physiological monitoring, HAZMAT detection, environmental threat detection);
2. Search and rescue sensor deployment tools and systems (e.g., sensors, robotics, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS));
3. Indoor and outdoor responder location tracking systems;
4. Wireless patient physiological monitoring and location tracking systems;
5. Resource tracking and management systems;
6. Mobile and enterprise common operating picture, collaboration or situational awareness platforms (e.g., mapping applications that display responder locations and sensor alerts);
7. Video and image access, management and analytics tools;
8. Deployable communications systems, including those for Land Mobile Radio (LMR), Long-term Evolution (LTE), satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) and Wi-Fi; and
9. Emergency vehicle traffic signal preemption systems.
To get more information on the Request for Information visit: https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=5731fc55c64f07246077b3adece2f4b0&tab=core&_cview=0

Episode 45: Welcome to AeroVista Drone Academy

Mike sits down with Brendan Stewart of AeroVista Drone Academy to talk about drones, the drone industry, and drone training. Brendan dives into being the 4th company to receive the FAA waiver for overflight of people and more. On this episode of the Smart Firefighting Podcast.
AeroVista Drone Academy is a company that provides training for drone operators in the public safety industry. Public safety is an industry that holds a higher standard for safety because of the dangerous situations first responders face. AeroVista leverages their talented team to create intelligent, scalable programs for public safety members.
AeroVista’s professionalism is well defined. They were the 4th company to receive the FAA waiver for overflight of people. Overflight of people is one of the most challenging waivers to receive. The FAA requires companies to provide their own crash data. Crashing a drone might not seem difficult, but AeroVista's drone was using a helium-filled balloon drone. The helium balloon made crashing difficult. After ten months of data and correspondence, AeroVista was rewarded with the waiver.
FAA compliance can be a tricky thing for the public safety market. Because of the nature of their work, a higher set of standards is required. Despite the size of the department and the intended use of the drone can influence which certificate Part 107 or a Certificate of Authorization they should pursue. The Part 107 is easier to get because it’s for an individual, but a Certificate of Authorization is better in the long run. AeroVista’s approach is to have departments apply for both. While having both doesn’t provide any additional benefit, the process of getting a Part 107 will full fill some of the requirements of the Authorization.
First responders need every resource to keep the public safe. Companies like AeroVista Drone Academy provide the training and guidance needed to give any department the drone program they need.

Episode 44: Under Fire “Burn it, Break it, Blow it up”

Under Fire is less than a month away. Kevin got a chance to sit down with Paul Siebert of Texas A&M to discuss what attendees should expect. They talk about the shark tank style pitches that will happen on day one. On day two the ten companies that advance will have a chance to “burn it, break it, blow it up” at Disaster city.
TEEX PDC’s Under Fire is a two-day event. Twenty companies will present their new technology in the form of a shark tank pitch. The ten best pitches will advance to the second day, where they will demonstrate their technology at the Disaster City. The innovations that are judged best will win cash prizes.
First Responders who attend Under Fire will have a chance to watch the first day of pitches. The following day they will get to observe the technology in use the next day at Disaster City. In addition, attendees will be able to go to talks and workshops hosted by the sponsors of Under Fire. Nowhere else in the world will you find an event like Under Fire.
Under Fire will take place in College Station Texas, from March 7th to 8th. Under Fire is a great event and is one of the best ways for first responders to see the future tech of the public safety industry. First responders that want to attend the event can register at https://teexpdc.com/underfire/

Episode 43: The Digit Group Smart Cities on the Rise

What is a smart city? It’s a city that was built using data to create an efficient, eco-friendly, and safe urban landscape. The Digit group is a U.S company based in New York City that creates designs and blueprints for these cities. Cities built using data provide a safer and more fulfilling lifestyle to its inhabitants.
To create a smart city, Digit Group puts together an in-depth analysis of publicly gathered information. This information is combined with eco-friendly technologies to produce the blueprint. It doesn’t matter if it’s a sprawling city or a cozy village every community can benefit by converting into a smart city. It can sound intimidating but smart cities are just efficient planning combined with new technology. These technologies translate to cities that are not only cleaner and more efficient but also less wasteful.
The Digit Group leaders are world leader authorities on smart cities. They have been the keynote speaker at dozens of conferences and conventions and have authored white papers and articles explaining the importance and effectiveness of designing cities. They’ve been recognized by world governments currently they sit on U.K’s All-Party Parliamentary Group and have previously been chosen to represent America in 2015 and 2017 on trade missions.
Every year new technology is introduced and adopted into cities around the world. The Digit Group knows that for these cities to be successful the fire safety standards need to be higher than ever before. The Digit group cities always bring the best solutions and meet the highest standards for fire safety. Today, our cities waste an unsustainable amount of energy. Cities need to transform into smart cities to become sustainable.

Episode 42: Data Chief Smart Data for First Responders

Learn how Data Chief collects and distributes information to inform decisions of First Responders. Michael Heifetz of Data Chief discusses making data tangible for first responders, closing the info gap on data, and combining government data and grassroots data collection. On Episode 42 of the Smart Firefighting Podcast.
What if first responders didn’t need to spend time collecting information while on the scene. What if when first responders arrived on the scene, they knew the best location to park their vehicle? What if they already knew how many people live in the area? What if before ever entering the building firefighters knew the room layout and materials used in the house? What if an organization existed that collects this information for first responders? It might surprise you, but that organization already exists. Data Chief collects information on communities’ occupants, contact information, construction, utilities, and more to give first responders every advantage.
When first responders have accurate information, they can make better decisions, faster. Firefighters don’t have a lot of time when they arrive on the scene. Data Chief gives them the critical information they need, giving them more time to prepare and plan. EMS need information about the residence to which they are responding. Data Chief takes surveys of communities, so they know which homes have special medical needs. Everyone makes better decisions when they have the right information.
Data Chief collects its data from online surveys, direct mail, government records, satellite information, OpenData, and institutional memory. They compile this information into a comprehensive database. The data is organized and edited into an industry-standard format that first responders can easily use. Data Chief’s data is easily uploaded into Computer Aided Dispatching Software Record Management System, or Emergency Response App.
Time is an ever-shrinking resource first responders need every advantage. Data Chief not only gives first responders more time by compiling the information it also promotes better decision making. What if first responders could save time and make better decisions? Try Data Chief and find out.

Episode 41: UL Testing the Innovations of Tomorrow

Kevin sits down with Neil Lakomiak of Underwriters Laboratories to talk about innovation in the fire industry. They also discuss industry trends, collaboration in the fire service, how to help firefighters avoid technology overload.
Underwriter Laboratories is one of a handful of companies that are approved to perform safety testing in the United States. It’s no surprise that technology being brought to the fire industry needs to be rigorously tested to ensure it is safe to use. Another thing Underwriter Laboratories does is test innovations before they go to market to ensure they are worth the cost of adopting. If not, Underwriter Laboratories works with companies to find ways to improve the product. Underwriter Laboratories tests these technologies and provides a line of communication to the companies and members in the fire industry.
The fire industry has a difficult time adopting new technology. The fire service can be a tough industry to break into, firefighters need fast and effective solutions and can't afford to use time and resources testing new technology in the field. Underwriter Laboratories takes charge of this part of testing. Underwriter Laboratories works with startups to find the technologies that are going to improve the safety of firefighters in the long term. If a technology doesn't meet this standard Underwriter Laboratories helps companies understand why, and where they need to improve. By requiring special standards, Underwriter Laboratories protects the fire industry from ineffective or inefficient innovations.
On the other side, Underwriter Laboratories works with fire service members to establish the standards for development. Technology to be used in the fire service has a different set of standards than those of a different field. To achieve this standard Underwriter Laboratories collaborates with members of the fire service. By getting input from firefighters, Underwriter Laboratories can provide an accurate set of standards for startups to meet. Input from the fire service isn’t just used for setting standards. Their input is given to companies to provide a line of communication for the needs of the fire service.
The fire industry is becoming a hotbed of new technology and innovations. The increase in companies in the industry also leads to a sense of worry that many of these innovations won’t be as effective as advertised. Underwriter Laboratories tests these technologies and provides a line of communication to the companies and members in the fire industry.

Episode 40: TEEX Under Fire Putting Innovation to the Test

Under Fire is an event in the fire industry for emerging technology, first responders, and vendors. Sponsored by Texas A&M Engineering Under Fire gives an opportunity for startups to showcase their new technology to an audience of first responders. Startups from around the world pitch their innovative technology. The 20 best entries are invited to go head to head in realistic scenarios to find which innovation is the best.
Under Fire is a 2-day event in College Station, TX. While the focus of the event is the competition, TEEX will have workshops set up and speakers scheduled for attendees. To keep the event focused TEEX will be focusing on 5 tracks this year. They are Personal Tracking, Robotics/UAVs, Communication and Internet of First Responders, Disaster Resiliency and Recovery, and Applications in the First Net Store. Finally, an exhibition hall will be open for attendees to find innovative products from TEEX Partners.
First responders will not be charged to attend Under Fire. TEEX wants to keep the barrier for first responders to attend to be as low as possible. Under Fire is the only event that will let first responders see 20 new technologies for the fire industry in use.
Caleb Holt is one of the hosts of Under Fire and can be reached by email at caleb.holt@teex.tamu.edu. If you are interested in attending Under Fire visit www.teexpdc.com/underfire for more information.

Episode 39: Where Should We Put the Firehouse? ESRI Answers

Learn how Chief Lambel used data to verify his department's decision-making process to relocate a firehouse within the city of Mount Prospect.