Developed to guard the safety of firefighters and first responders, the DropBlock 2.0 mobile-device application from RoGO Communications tracks their locations via global positioning system (GPS) signals. Ideal for remote areas where cellular communications service isn't available, the latest version of the application software running on DropBlock devices displays GPS locations along with fire weather data.

Recent testing by the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management demonstrated how the new application enhanced tactical coordination in the field. The DropBlock devices run on numerous power sources, including batteries, solar power, AC, and USB connections (see image above). 

RoGO Communications CEO Rod Goossen explained, “Based on feedback from wildland firefighter field trials, the commercial launch of our new DropBlock and mobile phone app enables immediate deployment for everyone to have a common operational picture of resources and conditions to support the initial attack of a wildfire, the time of most dangerous risk to firefighters.” 

RoGO Communications’ Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is designed to aid coordination of aerial support for wildfire firefighting. The Phase II contract extends collaboration on development of DropBlock 2.0 with NASA, supporting enhanced data sharing and communication among firefighters on the ground as well as aerial firefighting resources.