RoGO Communications and LBiSat integrate DropBlock GPS firefighter tracking into wildfire incident command posts

RoGO Communications and LBiSat are partnering to deliver GPS tracking and remote connectivity for situational awareness and tactical collaboration for a common operational picture.  

LBiSat provides satellite communications using Continuity+ and Personal Cell Tower to Incident Command Posts to establish and manage emergency responses. LBiSat provides a full range of business continuity and disaster response services, including engineers for remote mobile installs and support, and communication trailers.

“In many emergency response situations including wildfires, hurricanes and floods, cellular networks are not available or are not reliable due to damage,” said LBiSat Chief Executive Officer Rodger M. Lyman. “Integrating RoGO DropBlock GPS tracking of first responders and resources make our patent pending solutions more robust. Our enhanced support of tactical coordination of resources will save lives by providing a full view of the situation and risks.”

RoGO DropBlocks can be immediately deployed for tactical coordination and lifesaving situational awareness including the GPS location for wildland firefighters, resources and weather data to monitor wildfire threats. Initially engineered to save lives of wildland firefighters to avoid being trapped by the spread of the fire, DropBlocks also support other first responders in other emergencies.

The new satellite communication DropBlocks 2.0 are smaller in size and weight to be carried by wildland firefighters, often hiking into the wilderness in remote areas where cellular networks are typically not available.

DropBlocks also share hyper-local weather information from portable weather stations, including wind speed, direction, temperature, humidity and other IoT sensor data. Immediate tactical coordination and lifesaving situational awareness is enabled by DropBlocks that track the location of crews, equipment and resources including bulldozers, water tenders, fire engines, high-value structures, medical evacuation rescue and makeshift water resources.

“Our partnership with LBiSat creates a common operational view for supervisory leadership and all deployed crews responding to wildfires and other emergencies,” said RoGO Chief Executive Officer Rod Goossen. Along with his brother Derek who served on teams fighting more than 100 wildfires, they founded RoGO to develop technology that will save lives of wildland firefighters who often still use handheld compasses, paper maps, and two-way radios.  

Goossen said integrating satellite technology platforms with LBiSat for Incident Command Posts provides the next generation of technology support for tactical coordination that can save lives.

LBiSat delivers high-speed LEO satellite connectivity for voice and data services, enabling rapid deployment of emergency communications in a portable, lightweight case designed for first responders and emergency management teams. RoGO uses Iridium satellite services for DropBlocks with a lower signal frequency that enables a smaller, portable and lightweight DropBlock to transmit and receive data for firefighters to carry into the wilderness.