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Colo. OEDIT Release — May 18, 2023 – RoGO has been awarded an Advanced Industries grant from the State of Colorado to enhance our life-saving technologies
Arizona DFFM Release — May 15, 2023 – Arizona Forestry Rolling Out Innovative Firefighter Locating and Accountability System
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is testing new satellite-based crew locating and communication devices to improve safety. … They’re essentially GPS tracking and locating systems that will provide another layer of communication and accountability for crews at work in remote areas with limited or no cell phone service. The department says they have been exploring ways to increase crew safety and enhance communication between firefighters and overhead for years.
Arizona Department of Forestry testing new locating device to improve safety
Juliann Ashcraft, the wife of fallen firefighter Andrew Ashcraft, said the devices will provide Wildland Firefighters with a more collaborative and communicated tactical effort. “Such advances will lead to extinguishing wildfires more efficiently and effectively, and help reduce tragic line of duty deaths, like my husband’s,” Ashcroft said.
New crew locating system to be tested this fire season in Arizona
This fire season, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management deploys a modern wildland firefighter accountability and response system to better equip the agency’s firefighters while out in the field, with the goal of keeping them safe. … With DropBlocks, and through real time data, it is possible for DFFM to more precisely track crew movement and crew locations on wildland fire incidents. … “We know this will be the most important tool we have in our toolbox and we hope these locating units will help to prevent any more wildland fire tragedies from occurring,” said Chief Darrell Willis, DFFM’s Crews Supervisor.
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management press release
Press kit overview contains a summary of information about ROGO in a 4 page PDF
Breaking News
This fire season, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management will be testing new satellite-based crew locating and communication devices called DropBlocks. These will provide for increased crew accountability and safety during an incident where there may be little to no cell phone or radio service.
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