Episode 106: First Responder Smart Technology (FRST) Challenge with Christian Tubbs

Smart Firefighting

Hello Smart Firefighting Community!

Welcome to another episode of covering real world innovations via interviews with fire service and technology industry experts that empower YOU to develop your very own Smart Firefighting strategy! This is the 2nd episode of our FRST Challenge Mini Series!

Who else understands the importance of location tracking better than the prior Logistician and Task Force Safety Officer (TFSO) who deployed the Washington State Urban Search and Rescue Team (WATF-1) to the Oklahoma City Bombing and Hurricane Katrina?

In this episode:

- What is FRST Challenge?

- Why do first responders need 3d tracking technology?

- How can you participate in the competition?

Chief Christian Tubbs has a 40+ year career in the fire service with a background full of highly accredited certifications, degrees, and member statuses. Current Fire Chief for the Mill Valley Fire Department, he also serves as the Northern Division Director and E-Board Member of CalChiefs, as an E-Board Director and Treasurer (NISC) with the National Information Sharing Consortium, and as a Principal Member on the NFPA 950 & 951 committees. Chief Tubbs has also previously served on the IAFC Technology Council, the Department of Homeland Security’s Incident Management Information Sharing Committee (IMIS-SC), the Department of Homeland Security's Virtual Social Media Working Group (VSMWG), and the Board of Directors of the Homeland Security Information Network Advisory Committee (HSIN).

Given the chief's experiences leading teams into extremely dangerous operations, his - along with all other firefighters' - resultant plea for accurate GPS tracking is crystal clear - and being addressed. FRST Challenge exists to identify 3D tracking technology that can give first responders one-meter accuracy in an indoor setting (use cases include emergency rescue operations and survivor location within large buildings) and to provide competitors with entrepreneurial mentoring. Funded by PSCR, a total of up to $5.6 million in prizes and support funding will be distributed across all 5 phases to aid participants in purchasing materials, forming teams, and creating partnerships to develop their innovation. Prize money grows as teams advance through each phase, and several winners will ultimately be selected in Phase 5 to receive the largest cash prizes.

The application for Phase 1 is due on January 31, 2022, so email [e-mail] to find out how to participate!

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