Can You Hear Me Now? – The Next Generation of Fire Fighter PASS
Joelle Suits, University of Texas at Austin
Casey Grant, Fire Protection Research Foundation
Mustafa Abbasi, University of Texasat at Austin
DK Ezekoye, University of Texas at Austin

Format: Audio MP3 Download: $18
Audio Compact Disc: $23

Fire fighters overcome by the heat or smoke of a fire may become disoriented or trapped in a structure--it's crucial that they have a reliable means to alert other fire ground personnel to their need for assistance. Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) devices, which use audible signal technology, are widely employed throughout the fire service. However, despite ongoing enhancements in recent years, certain problems persist with audible PASS technology and room exists for improvement. This session will explain a project underway to establish a scientific basis to support the PASS alarm signal and address possible technological enhancements such as receiver enhancements and addressable non-audible frequencies.