1. Research Foundation Update
Urban Fire Forum
6 September 2014

2. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update
Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF)
Independent charitable organization conducting research
Formed by NFPA in 1982 (NFPA formed in 1896)
Focus on facilitating credible research and disseminating results
Research funds come primarily from (1) private and public sector consortia; (2) grants and government sources; and (3) other sources
FPRF serves as the research affiliate for NFPA
FPRF Mission: Plan, manage and communicate research in support of the NFPA mission
NFPA (Nat’l Fire Prot Assoc) Mission: Make the world safer from fire and related hazards

3. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update
Agenda
Completed & Active Research Reports
Case Study Research Initiatives
Future Direction

4. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update

5. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update
Agenda
Completed & Active Research Reports
Case Study Research Initiatives
Future Direction

6. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update
Case Study Research Initiatives
1) Next Generation of PASS Devices
2) EV Safety Training Initiative & EV Battery Hazards
3) Risk Management Interventions for Vehicle Related Incidents
4) Smart Fire Fighting

7. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update
1) Next Generation PASS Devices: “Can You Hear Me Now?”
This project seeks to improve the safety of distressed firefighters engaged in structural firefighting operations and to aid in rescue activities, by establishing a credible and scientific basis for determining the optimum PASS signal performance characteristics and to evaluate technological enhancements for this technology.
Work being done by University of Texas –Austin
Funded by DHS/FEMA AFG Fire Grant
Scheduled for completion in 2015

8. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update
Administrate Project Advisory Panel (1-36 months)
Literature Review (2-5 months)
Portfolio of Fire Ground Noise (6-12 months)
Analysis of Existing PASS Alarm Sounds (13-15 months)
Modeling and Validation of Sound Transmission (2-30 months)
Evaluation of FF Response to PASS Signal (16-34 months)
Recommendations for Readily Implemented Alternative Technology (30-34 months)
Reporting and Dissemination (34-36 months)

9. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update
2) Electric Vehicle Safety Training Initiative
EV Safety Training for Emergency Responders (2013)
Focus: On-Line Training, Emerg Field Guide, Classroom Training
Major three year project ( )
Website:

10. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update
Emergency Responder Fire Hazard Concerns
What’s different between an ICE & EV fire? (For FFs, some but not a lot)
PROJECT CONTRACTOR
1) Thermal (Fire)
Fire control versus extinguishment
Overhaul & stranded energy
2) Personal Protective Equipment
Respiratory and dermal exposure
3) Electrical Conductivity
Focus on hose streams
Variables: energy levels, distances, nozzle type, flow, etc
4) Projectiles
Safe distances around vehicle
PROJECT SPONSORS
2014 FOUNDATION MEDAL RECIPIENT
(for Best Project)
Report Website:
bwww.NFPA.org/EVBatteryTests 10
FUTURE TECHNOLOGY ???
FUTURE TECHNOLOGY ???

11. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update
Agenda
Completed & Active Research Reports
Case Study Research Initiatives
Future Direction

12. Fire Protection Research Foundation Update
3) Risk Management Interventions for Vehicle Related Incidents
Project Aims
Aim #1: Evaluate, design and implement interventions to reduce ESVCs
Aim #2: Measure program effectiveness and economic return
Aim #3: Develop and disseminate guidance materials for vehicle-related program interventions
Three Year Project led by University of Arizona
VEHICLE DATA RECORDERS
VDR Data Points:
• Vehicle Speed - MPH
• Acceleration - MPH/sec
• Deceleration - MPH/sec
• Engine Speed - RPM
• Throttle Position - % of Full
• ABS Event- On/Off
• Seat Occupied - Yes/No
• Seat Belt Buckled - Yes/No
• Master Optical Warning - On/Off
• Time - 24 Hour Time
• Date - Year/Month/Date
• Engine Diagnostics
NFPA 1901 mandated installment of VDRs
Collect minute-by- minute vehicle maneuvers and engine status per trip
Has been used in Fire Departments for training (Coweta FD)

13. Creating the Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighters of the Future

14. Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting CPS: Cyber Physical Systems
What are Cyber-Physical Systems?
Massive integration of wireless networks, advanced sensors, 3D simulations, and cloud services enabling a new generation of Smart Systems.

15. Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting CPS: Cyber Physical Systems
Historical Perspective

16. Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting CPS: Cyber Physical Systems
Today World --- Increasingly Sensor Rich
“From the dawn of Civilization until 2003, humankind generated 5 Exabyte of Data ….
We now produce this much data every 2 days”
- Eric Schmidt, Exec Chairman of Google
IN 2013, WE PRODUCED 5 EXABYTE OF DATA EVERY 10 MINUTES
TECHNOLOGY COSTS
COMPUTER PROCESSING SPEEDS
STORAGE CAPACITY

17. Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting Cyber-Physical Systems
Smart Cyber Physical Systems
Infrastructure (smart grid)
Fire Fighting
Buildings & Structures
Cyber-Physical Systems
Transportation
Warfighting
Healthcare
Production

18. Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting
Emerging Technologies & Fire Fighting
Google glass
Adidas adizero f50 boot
Augmented reality
Augmented reality
Under-Armour
E-39 shirt
Shadow C6M
Smart Hand
Apple iPhone
Smartphone Apps
Real-time data from distributed sources
Smart Clothing
Autonomous vehicles
Robotics
NY 311 Noise Map
BACnet
“Urban Science”
Big Data analytics
Satellite information
UAV (Drones)
Fully interoperable equipment

19. Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting
Project funded by
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Over-Arching Goal
At the highest level, the over-arching goal for this effort is to remove unwanted fire and other harmful events as a limitation to life safety, technical innovation, and economic prosperity.  

20. Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting
Project funded by
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Smart Fire Fighting Vision
For this specific initiative, the vision for smart fire fighting is based on creating, storing, exchanging, analyzing, and integrating information from a wide range of databases and sensor networks, which will result in the following:
Improving fire fighter occupational health and safety;
Enhancing the overall operational efficiency of the fire service and the effectiveness of fire protection;
Saving lives and minimizing injuries of the public including building occupants and community members;
Minimizing property loss from fire;
Minimizing business interruption and loss of mission continuity due to fire.

21. Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting
Developing a Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting
This project involves the following tasks:
Task 1: Initiate Project, and Appoint Project Technical Panel (Fall 2013)
Task 2: Plan 1½ day Roadmap Plenary Workshop
Task 3: Conduct 1½ day Roadmap Plenary Workshop (March 2014)
Task 4: Identify Chapter Authors (Apr 2014)
Task 5: Implement Chapter Author Invitations (Apr 2014)
Task 6: Generate Single Research Roadmap (Jul/Aug 2014)
Task 7: Conduct Roundtable with Chapter Authors (Sep/Oct 2014)
Task 8: Generate Final Draft of Roadmap for Review/Comment (Fall 2014)
One year project (Fall 2013 to Fall 2014)

22. Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting
Related Activities
Example of Related NFPA Activity: NFPA 950/951
NFPA 950: Standard for Data Development & Exchange for the Fire Service
NFPA 951: Guide to Building and Utilizing Digital Information
Example of Related other Activity: Smart America
A White House Presidential Innovation Fellow project
Goal: bring together research in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and to combine test-beds, projects and activities from different sectors (e.g., Smart Manufacturing, Healthcare, Smart Energy, Intelligent Transportation and Disaster Response)
See “SmartAmerica.org”

23. Video: President’s Award
Video: Google Glass

24. Casey Grant