first responders
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The U-Safe self-propelled buoy saves drowning swimmers so you don't have to
The U-Safe self-propelled rescue buoy braves dangerous waves to pluck imperiled swimmers from the sea.
Verizon modified a Ford F650 to provide first-responders with mobile 5G access
On Tuesday, Verizon introduced the Tactical Humanitarian Operations Response (THOR) vehicle.
Hyundai's TIGER 'ultimate mobility vehicle' concept is the size of a housecat
Hyundai has revealed the first concepts of its new TIGER program, the X-1 -- just don’t expect it to come to the rescue of anything bigger than a kitten.
AT&T's public safety network knows which floor first responders are on
AT&T has upgraded its FirstNet first responder network with new support for vertical GPS, walkie talkies and rural emergencies.
Microsoft is helping the government build AI disaster response tools
Microsoft and the DOE are building AI disaster response tools.
Sphero spins off a new company to make robots for police, military use
Robotic toy maker Sphero is spinning its public safety division into a new company focused on robots for first responders, government and defense.
Airbnb hosts can volunteer to house COVID-19 responders
Airbnb is dealing with COVID-19 cancellations by providing support to people on the front lines of the pandemic. It's launching a worldwide initiative that will let hosts opt in to offering free or subsidized housing to healthcare workers, first responders and other crucial staff who may need to live closer to where they're offering help. The company will partner with governments, businesses, nonprofit groups and emergency agencies to help them find hosts, while home owners who volunteer will have a cleanliness protocol to follow to minimize the chances of the coronavirus spreading.
AT&T's giant blimp will provide network coverage to first responders
FirstNet, the nationwide broadband network for first responders being built with AT&T, just added a giant blimp to its arsenal. The 55-foot aerostat, dubbed FirstNet One, is meant to hover over disaster sites and provide wireless communication for first responders. AT&T says it will provide better coverage than FirstNet's other assets and be able to remain in the air for longer.
Tidal is offering a hefty discount for first responders in the US
Like other music streaming services, Tidal was already offering military and student discounts. Now it's launching a "Community Heroes" discount for first responders. In the US, they'll receive 40 percent off the premium and HiFi plans. That makes the premium plan $5.99 per month and the HiFi plan $11.99 per month.
Bosch will use tiny explosions to make EVs safer in a crash
Electric vehicles have obvious benefits, but they also pose new risks. In the event of a crash, there's a chance that damaged wiring could allow current to leak from the EV's battery into the metal frame, posing a risk to occupants, rescue workers and first responders. Electric vehicles automatically turn off when a crash is detected, but to go a step further, Bosch has created an explosive device that automatically cuts off the high-voltage battery.
FCC wants to help identify the floor a 911 call is coming from
The Federal Communications Commission issued a new proposal today designed to help first responders better locate 911 callers. The proposed rules would require cellular providers to provide more detailed locations of callers, including a vertical location that would make it possible to find out what floor of a multi-story building a caller is on. If approved, the requirements would go into effect starting in April 2021.
Rescue drone that can search buildings wins $1 million prize
A clever, bizarre-looking drone that may one day save your butt has won a million bucks in the UAE's Drones for Good competition. Flyability's GimBall has the unusual ability to squeeze into tight indoor spaces and search for potential disaster victims, thanks to its geodesic design. The entire UAV is effectively a two-prop, electronically stabilized gimball surrounded by a tough, lightweight carbon fiber cage. Instead of trying to pull off the daunting task of avoiding obstacles, the GimBall can just plow right into them, bounce off and then carry on to its destination. It can even roll along the ground or a ceiling like Parrot's MiniDrone.
NASA READIs early detection GPS network, aids first responders with earthquake warnings
After tacking space shuttle Discovery onto the back of a 747, the brainy gang over at NASA's READI for a new challenge -- earthquake detection. The agency's GPS-monitoring system, known as the Real-time Earthquake Analysis for Disaster Mitigation Network, is being tested with the goal of more accurately detecting the scale of quakes and, consequently, getting tsunami warnings out as soon as possible. The setup, made possible by a partnership between the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, and the United States Geological Survey, works by measuring ground displacement in real-time to provide a faster, more detailed assessment of imminent damage, thereby giving first responders a head start on determining aid. So the next time you look up to the night sky and wish upon a tracking star, keep in mind that sometimes privacy-skewing, positioning tech could just save your life.
15 Minutes of Fame: First Responders on the WoW scene
15 Minutes of Fame is our look at World of Warcraft players of all shapes and sizes – from the renowned to the relatively anonymous, the remarkable to the player next door. Tip us off to players you'd like to hear more about.Talk about teamwork: The First Responders-H bring pack pride to Lightning's Blade (US) in a big way. This two-and-a-half-year-old, multi-game clan had cleared most of Black Temple prior to Wrath's launch, is digging into Naxxramas with a vengeance and, beyond WoW, maintains a well known and successful XBox team.Their tactics: military precision – literally. The First Responders are primarily firefighters, medics, police officers and military personnel. The guild accepts civilians on a case-by-case basis, emphasizing common attitudes about teamwork rather than the usual min/maxing or gear focus of other guilds. While their nontraditional schedules may dampen progression speed, it certainly doesn't dampen their enthusiasm or guild pride.
