In the aftermath of the tragic deaths of 19 Arizona firefighters, the Florida Forest Service is outfitting its firefighters on the frontlines with GPS tracking systems. Using GPS tracking software, supervisors will know the location of each firefighter at any time, and be able to reach them more quickly in the event of an emergency.
The new GPS tracking program is being implemented in hopes of increasing the safety of those closest to potentially deadly blazes, including those using bulldozers to push back fire lines. According to the forest service, the program is possibly the first of its kind for firefighters. The GPS tracking program does not require cell phone or Internet service, but rather relies on “packets” of electronic information sent to supervisors’ laptops provided they are within a two mile range of the GPS tracking device.
If you’ve read many posts on this blog, we often post about the benefits of GPS ankle bracelets for people at risk for wandering away or becoming the victim of exploitation or violence. Here’s a great story about how a GPS tracking wrist bracelet aided authorities in locating a mentally disabled man who had wondered away from home.
As a part of Project Lifesaver, a program launched by the Sarasota Police Department several years ago, the disabled man is one of 75 people considered at risk for wandering provided with GPS tracking bracelets. Participants include adults with dementia and other disabilities as well as children with autism and Down’s Syndrome.
The rescued man was safely recovered near Caspersen Beach, approximately two miles from his home. Authorities partially credit the use of the GPS tracking device for saving the man’s life, as it allowed them to locate him before the tide came in, which the man likely would not have survived.
After more than a month of following a snow leopard in Nepal, an adult “big cat” has successfully been fitted with a GPS tracking collar which will hopefully provide much insight into the roaming range behaviors, preferences and habitats of the elusive cats. In approximately the first two weeks of collecting data on the GPS collared leopard, it has been determined that the cat has roamed an area of more than 80 square kilometers.
Here are the latest bits of GPS tracking news we’ve found around the Web this week.
A vehicle linked to country music star, Wynonna Judd, was discovered to have been outfitted with a GPS tracking device. The device was discovered by a muffler shop and removed by police. Here’s the original story: http://tasteofcountry.com/gps-tracking-device-wynonna-judd/.
Robertson County, TN school may soon be getting GPS tracking software for school buses to monitor bus location and driving behavior of bus drivers. After approved by the school board, the he project is now under consideration by county officials. Source: http://www.tennessean.com/viewart/20131113/ROBERTSON01/311130067/Buses-may-get-GPS-tracking
Wildlife biologists in Montana have successfully used GPS tracking devices (collars) to track the location of elk in the off season and were surprised to find that the three cow elk tracked moved more than 60 air miles from where they’re usually seen during the hunting season. Source: http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_e58bb456-4cd9-11e3-a2a7-001a4bcf887a.html
Here are two of the latest GPS tracking news updates we’ve found around the Web today:
The FiLIP
Just when Samsung is making James Bond-ish watches popular again, AT&T has announced it will release a GPS tracking equipped smartwatch for kids which will use geo-fencing to alert parents when a child leaves his or her predetermined safe zone, and will enable parents to see their child’s location at any time provided the child is wearing the tracker. Known as the FiLIP, the GPS tracking device for kids is also capable of voice communication with up to 5 numbers which are preprogrammed by parents. There’s also a panic button that, when pressed for 3 seconds, will cause the device to begin dialing contact numbers.
China to Use GPS Tracking on Government Cars
In an effort to curb abuse by public officials, China will begin installing GPS tracking devices on thousands of government vehicles. The move comes partly in response to criticism for supposed widespread corruption and flamboyant lifestyles among government officials. Guangzhou, a city in southern China, took on a similar project for fleet tracking of government vehicles in 2011. The city now reports that it saves more than $6 million dollars per year due to the GPS tracking systems.
In the aftermath of a recent fatal accident and numerous close calls, Italy’s famed gondolas will begin using GPS tracking systems to help manage water traffic and prevent injuries. The addition of GPS tracking devices will affect approximately 5,000 vessels, including water taxis. Other changes will include a requirement for vessels to be equipped with identifying plates on their exteriors, a reduction in overall traffic, and restricted travel times in the early morning when larger crafts such as barges are at work. CCTV cameras have also been added to some canals. Venice receives more than 60,000 tourists per day during the summer months.
TrackingTheWorld recently announced the continued availability of private label websites for the company’s GPS tracking software. With a private label website, provided upon the purchase of a software license, resellers have the ability to offer their own customers subscription-based GPS tracking services under their own company name.
“Our GPS tracking software is a great option for those interested in starting their own GPS tracking business, and generating monthly recurring income,” said Gilbert Walz, CEO of TrackingTheWorld.
The private label websites offer a platform from which the site owner manages his or her own customer accounts. TrackingTheWorld’s software purchase agreement allows resellers to set monthly subscription rates for their customers.
GPS tracking devices are increasingly common among businesses, often for the purpose of vehicle tracking and fleet management, and among law enforcement agencies for covert tracking operations. According to some estimates, the GPS tracking market is projected to grow up to 40-percent, reaching the $1-billion mark by 2017. Some software resellers choose to market to a specific niche, while others choose to sell to the general public, or both.
GPS tracking software is recognized as effective business tool for increasing productivity and efficiency through applications such as employee monitoring and safety, conserving fuel, and mileage tracking, making it a cost effective choice for business owners.
TrackingTheWorld’s GPS tracking software is exclusively designed to work with the company’s own GPS tracking devices. Licensed software resellers receive best pricing on TrackingTheWorld GPS tracking equipment.
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Officials in Steamboat Springs, Colorado hope that real time GPS tracking systems deployed on city buses will allow citizens to minimize outdoor wait times in chilly winter weather. The city is set to have GPS tracking devices installed on all 20 of their public transportation buses later this year. By allowing bus riders to monitor the location of their buses, and thereby delays in the schedule, patrons will be able to plan accordingly. The estimated cost of the program is $82,000, with $65,000 coming from state grant funding.
Take a look at another post on GPS tracking systems for public transportation.
Source: http://www.9news.com/news/local/article/347451/346/Real-time-GPS-tracking-coming-to-Steamboat-buses
Here’s another bit of GPS tracking news…after police suspected a pair of Michigan men of breaking into homes and stealing valuables, they obtained a search warrant to place a covert tracking device on the suspect vehicle. Some time later, the vehicle was determined to have been at another home which had also been burglarized. Utilizing the vehicle tracking device and GPS tracking software, authorities were able to apprehend the suspects (after one fled), who later confessed to a string of burglaries. Both men have since been sentenced to prison.
Source: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/07/gps_tracker_leads_to_prison_ti.html
Teachers in one Texas school district will soon be receiving GPS tracking necklaces in an initiative aimed at improving school safety, according Dallas Observer blog. According to the report, Carroll ISD teachers will receive GPS tracking devices equipped with panic buttons allowing them to more quickly summon help in the event of an emergency. The district ordered 100 of the GPS trackers which are programmed to alert help with the location and a photo of the wearer when the emergency feature is activated.
