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Author: Michael Helfrich

April 23, 2017

Beating the Heat: Introducing the Blueforce WBGT Solution

by Michael Helfrich
in Uncategorized

The Blueforce WBGT Heat Illness Prevention solution has been designed through collaboration with EHS specialists specifically to provide an effective tool for monitoring workers and ensuring adherence to your organization’s heat safety protocols. At the core of the solution is the Blueforce real-time awareness software platform combined with the rugged Nielsen-Kellerman Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) meter . WBGT provides an...

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Beating the Heat: MEDWAR 2017 with BlueforceWBGT

by Michael Helfrich
in CBRN, Distributed Sensing, Emergency Notification, Heat, IoT, Lone Worker, Occupational Safety, Sensors, Situational Awareness, Surveillance, WBGT

Blueforce was proud to take part in MEDWAR 2017 SOUTHEAST as a guest of VCOM/Auburn. Exposure to extreme heat is a reality of any form of public safety/military training and unit preparation for operational missions, MEDWAR included. Many heat illnesses are preventable, and none should be fatal. Leaders must assess unit's missions and training requirements against the risk associated with operating in warm weather environments....

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Beating the Heat: Preventing Heat-Related Illness with Blueforce

by Michael Helfrich
in Distributed Sensing, Emergency Notification, Heat, IoT, Occupational Safety, Sensors, Situational Awareness, WBGT

Thousands of workers fall victim to heat related injuries annually. Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion can occur quickly and early signs are often ignored as workers are focused on accomplishing their assigned tasks. These injuries can occur when work is being done outside and inside and are a major concern of EHS groups across a wide swath of industries. The fact is that heat related...

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April 22, 2017

MEDWAR SOUTHEAST 2017: Decentralized Command and Control on a Single Pane of Glass View

by Michael Helfrich
in autonomous agents, Distributed Sensing, Emergency Notification, Fusion, IoT, K9, Recovery, Sensors, Situational Awareness

It was 2008 when we first heard it: "I've got multiple deployed teams, vehicles, scores of unattended ground sensors, K9's, and aviation platforms to manage during my incident or mission. And I also have scores of applications that I have to look across and assimilate to make a decision that impacts a small patch of the deployment area. It has become impossible." ...

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MEDWAR Southeast 2017: Blueforce Tested

by Michael Helfrich
in BlueBeacon, CBRN, Emergency Notification, Fusion, IoT, Occupational Safety, Sensors, Situational Awareness, Wearables

What is your definition of a fun weekend?  How about - strains/sprains, dislocations, fractures, soft tissue wounds, lacerations, burns, punctures (with and without embedded objects), blisters, infection, frostbite/extremity immersion, and more? This is what MedWar SOUTHEAST is all about; Hundreds of first responders competing in the woods of Fort Gordon, Georgia. MedWAR teaches and tests wilderness medicine knowledge and skills.  The event uses scenarios and questions which...

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March 27, 2017

Leveraging your Smartphone for “Man-Down” Detection Using Blueforce Tactical

by Michael Helfrich
in Emergency Notification, Hybrid Life Support, Occupational Safety, Recovery, Sensors, Situational Awareness

For years, firefighters have leveraged PASS devices (Personal Alert Safety System) which are also referred to as distress signal unit (DSU) when going into building fires or other dangerous IDLH environments The PASS device sounds a loud (95 decibel) audible alert to notify others in the area that the firefighter is in distress, usually triggered by a lack of motion by the firefighter for a...

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July 30, 2016

Tactical Dashboard Video: Seeing is Believing

by Michael Helfrich
in CBRN, Distributed Sensing, Fusion, IoT, K9, Sensors, Situational Awareness, Surveillance, Uncategorized, Wearables

It's a great thing when imagery can "say" everything that needs to be said.  It speaks for itself.  A dashboard video used during a USG training event is embedded below.  The Blueforce Command Center dashboard in the video shows members of a tactical team breaching a building with support from a K9 unit and shows the following: Real-time Incident Map: Top left, shows all team members,...

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OPS15 Dragon and Alpha Canis Training Event

by Michael Helfrich
in autonomous agents, BlueBeacon, CBRN, Distributed Sensing, Emergency Notification, Fusion, Intrinsically Safe, IoT, K9, Sensors, Situational Awareness, Surveillance, Uncategorized

Knowledge is power.  Successful tactical training is even better.  OPS15 and Alpha Canis will be hosting a 2-Day training event at their Southfield Training Facility and Blueforce will be there.  This dynamic training event will give participants from the public safety, military, and private sector an opportunity to share some ideas and knowledge on best practices from a diverse group of instructors relative to the...

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July 16, 2016

ugsONE: New Blueforce Tactical Plugin that Turns the Smartphone into an Unattended Ground Sensor

by Michael Helfrich
in autonomous agents, CBRN, Distributed Sensing, Fusion, HAZLOC, IoT, Sensors, Situational Awareness, Surveillance, Uncategorized

Here at Blueforce, we think back just ten years ago and the state of personal computing at the time. We were fresh out of Iraq and post-9/11 and simple gamecam capabilities could run a DoD unit upwards of $80,000 a sensor. Military and emergency management groups alike have long been keen for sensors that can be left behind if need be. Ones that are inexpensive...

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July 5, 2016

The Future of Smart Cities: GE and Blueforce in New Bedford

by Michael Helfrich
in Uncategorized

Innovation can be a rare thing these days. Especially in big cities and towns where change is most difficult, yet these places can derive huge benefits from information. Hearing New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell speak this week, we have a whole new appreciation of State and Local innovation. Mayor Mitchell has a very progressive view for IoT in the city of New Bedford which has...

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