Environmental Science & Engineering - www.esemag.com - March 2005
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New security technology aids in hazmat response

View Systems Inc. now offers the Visual First Responder (VFR), which can send live, wireless video in a clear, steady and reliable fashion.

There is a need for quick, accurate information in an emergency. It just isn’t reliable to have an observer recounting details from memory. Many times the scene commander needs real time data on the nature of the emergency from the inside. Entry teams can go into target areas and try to describe the volumes of information via audio, but is that enough? If they cannot stay inside very long, they must rely on their memory of an entire scene to relay information. This is not an easy thing to accomplish with accuracy.

Several years ago, the National Guard’s new Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD CST) were receiving chemical response training at Dugway Proving Grounds. Reviewing after-action reports from these team members led Dugway officials to engage in development discussions with the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). These discussions exposed the need for better performing video products for the WMD CST, so INEEL developed a new system.

Initially known as HAZMAT Cam, the new system was an instant hit with WMD CST evaluators and professional municipal HAZMAT teams. This wireless system was now able to produce clear, steady, and reliable video. Now the first responders could have a rugged, high performance system to help accomplish missions.

Once the technology of a government lab is mature, it can be offered to the commercial world through the technology transfer programs. In 2004, View Systems Inc. entered into an exclusive cooperative research and development agreement to commercialize the HAZMAT Cam. View Systems is now the sole manufacturer of the system and continues its development. The system’s new name became the Visual First Responder (VFR), now offered to professional and municipal responders the world over.

Many systems use a single receiving antenna for their products. This means there is only one antenna location to receive a strong signal. The VFR uses a triple antennae array and true diversity receiver to receive signals, so there are three antennae locations to receive a strong signal. This type of receiver is a better choice for systems where the transmitter is in motion relative to the receiver. The VFR is a hand carried device most of the time so it works very well with a diversity receiver. By using a true diversity receiver, the VFR can choose the best one of these three signals at any time, even if there is a change in signal strengths. For example, if a signal is bouncing off a wall into one antenna, coming through a storage room for another antenna and reflecting off furniture into a third antenna, the VFR can determine which signal is best even though the signals may change because the person carrying it moves to another spot. Antenna one may have the best signal one second and then antenna three might have a better signal just a couple of feet away.

Another advantage is the frequency choice. Some systems rely only on 2.4 GHz, VFR uses both 900MHz and 2.4GHz. 900MHz has a longer wavelength than 2.4GHz and is a better choice for transmitting through walls and other structures. The VFR also has a 2.4 GHz portion to the system. This portion of the system is called the extension link. Once the original signal is picked up at the triple antennae receiver, it can be re-transmitted further down range by using another transmit and receive set. This set uses 2.4GHz, which avoids interfering with the camera’s original 900 MHz transmission.

Use of system After a target area is identified, the triple antennae array is removed from its rugged case and placed as near to the hot zone as possible, while still being kept uncontaminated. A long life battery powers it. The monitoring station is connected to the antennae array so the scene commanders can observe the video being sent back to them. When a first responder team enters the hot zone or target area, the handheld unit (camera) is powered on. As the team approaches the target, the clear steady video is sent out in all directions by the omni directional antennae. The video signal will penetrate some structures and bounce off others, and active devices like the fields created by electric motors may even block some of the signal. Many of the high power- 900MHz signals are being received by the triple antennae array. The diversity receiver will evaluate the signals that arrive from the antennae. Then it will pass on that video stream which is the most steady and clean to the monitor. If there is a need for greater distance to be covered due to an extended hot or warm zone, the extension link can be employed.

This practice of having a re-transmit or relay in the middle of the system is very useful. This allows for the system to be very flexible when there are obstacles like buildings or tank farms in the area. Also, a prime factor to first responders is wind direction. The VFR’s “jointed” style of transmission path can be used to keep command personnel up-wind when other systems cannot.

Battery time is very important and the handheld unit will stay powered on for almost four hours continuously. The recharge time on a battery pack (a spare is included) is only 35 minutes. The VFR is rugged and can be decontaminated by immersing it in a bucket of decontamination fluid or bleach solution. It is fabricated into a professionally built diver’s light housing. It has a large handle for ease of use by operators in large gloves. It is also a lightweight system, which can be a factor in reduction of fatigue.

It is available with law enforcement grade video encryption, which prevents news teams from hi-jacking video that is shot with the VFR. Imagine how bad it would be to have scenes of mass casualty or the inside structure of a sensitive government or commercial facility broadcast to friends, families and /or enemies. The VFR also comes with a full range of accessories from recorders to mobile mounts to laptop video adapters.

With further development, this system will be of great use to many types of responders such as: confined space rescuers, explosive ordinance teams, search and rescue teams, port inspection crews and maritime security forces.

For further information, contact djohansen@viewsystems.com.

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