By Kevin L. Jones
Product Editor
It’s like an incident commander’s dream come true — a device that lets them know exactly where a firefighter is inside a building without having to ask.
JTSystems in Spokane, Wash., recently finished the prototype for a device called JTEL, which renders the real-time location and tracking information of its user inside a building, and displays it in 2-D and 3-D maps. It can also track multiple people and record their movements for reviewing purposes.
With JTEL, an incident commander can watch as multiple firefighters work to suppress a fire in structure and know exactly where they are and where they’ve been in terms of distance and altitude. Also, if it’s a bigger fire requiring firefighters from multiple departments; if they’re using JTEL, the different networks not only won’t interfere with each other, they can be combined.
“It’s something fire departments can use, no matter how big the emergency is,” said Dave Jewett, a principal at JTSystems.
JTEL is possible thanks to another invention of JTSystems, JTAP, a new technology that provides accurate location determination, both indoors and outdoors, in 3-D. JTAP uses “Time Difference of Arrival” to determine location, which JTSystems found to be “highly accurate” in 3-D.
Small transmitter
With the system, each firefighter is given a small transmitter, which they attach to themselves. The transmitter sends signals to a JTEL location device, which then forwards the locations to a control center display that translates them into maps and other useful data.
Though similar to GPS in its construction, JTEL doesn’t need satellites in space to triangulate coordinates; the system is self-contained and portable enough to be deployed at an emergency site.
The company started four years ago after Jewett’s former partner had a discussion with a fire chief from Highpoint, N.C. At the time Jewett, who has been working with computers since 1980, spent much of his career in telecommunications, including the cell phone industry.
Though his experience gave him a serious understanding of cell phone technology, Jewett said that in order for the JTEL to work inside buildings and urban environments, the company had to design a completely new system from scratch.
“We had to come up with a whole different way of beating the problems in urban environments that reek havoc on GPS and cell phone tech,” said Jewett.
Now in possession of a working prototype, JTSystems is searching for fire departments and agencies willing to beta-test the product. Jewett said that the company needs guidance in incorporating the device into PPE as well as testing its performance in the field.
“We’re really open to do what departments need in order to incorporate this technology,” said Jewett. “The goal is to help departments be successful, not get in the way.”
Jewett said that those interested in testing the product can contact the company through its Web site at www.jtsystems.us.