Microwave Monolithics Incorporated (MMInc.) successfully demonstrated TECCS™ to a group of first responders and Government officials on November 5, 2021 in a rugged, austere, wildfire prone section of the Angeles National Forest. TECCS™ provides unprecedented Real-Time tracking for thousands of Equipment and Personnel scattered over a thousand square miles, presents interactive live maps to both incident command and mobile firefighters, and provides immediate detailed alerts in case of emergency. TECCS™ operates without the need of any infrastructure whatsoever. Just deploy TECCS™ and you are ready to go.
The field demonstration covered Clear Creek Fire station, steep terrain surrounding Josephine Saddle, and portions of Angeles Crest Highway – All areas without cell phone or WiFi coverage. LA Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers provided manpower and equipment to enable deployment of assets and firefighters over realistic terrain and operating conditions. Representatives of federal and state legislatures as well as Ventura County fire department were on hand for the event.
The demo assumed a “small” fire was reported in the Josephine Saddle area which quickly jumped the fire road and became several hundred acres in size. The demo began as on-site firefighters radioed for additional resources. A command center was activated at the Clear Creek fire station, a TECCS™ “ARM” (Aerial Relay Module) was launched, and additional firefighters, fire engines, water tankers, and bulldozer were deployed. As mutual aid resources arrive with their own TECCS™ equipment, they are automatically and seamlessly incorporated into the operating TECCS™ system without the need for “checking in” or manual data entry. Throughout the exercise, every firefighter, fire engine, fire equipment and supply vehicle were displayed in real time on screens at the Incident Command Center, and the Mobile Command vehicle(s). After the fire was extinguished, resources continued to be tracked as they left the scene. All data were recorded/archived for debrief, training, and other functions.
