Rocky Mountain Tracking

By DONNA SANTI / guest columnist

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-          Donna Santi is a creative writer for LandAirSea Systems, a Woodstock, IL-based manufacturer and distributor of expertly-engineered GPS tracking systems, software and accessories. For information about LandAirSea, visit www.landairsea.com. To contact the writer, email donna.santi@landairsea.com

As the tolls of dead and injured from the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti keep rising, aid workers are organizing in the impoverished Caribbean nation for the grim task of recovering bodies from the rubble.

A representative from the American Red Cross who arrived at Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti near the epicenter, said the disaster was worse than he had imagined. Those who perished could number in the hundreds of thousands. There is inadequate hospital space for all the injured. Thousands of homes are flattened, many of them dangerous, rickety shacks.

Officials are appealing for medical care, trained rescue teams and everyday items used for comfort and well-being like diapers, water, clothing, shoes and blankets.

The world’s first glimpses into the 7.0 magnitude devastation were in videos Haitians posted on Twitter and YouTube. Celebrities urged their Twitter fans to text donations from their mobile devices and $1 million was pledged to one nonprofit in just one day. It proves that technology is firmly entrenched in our lives. The worldwide grasp even extends to a small, underdeveloped country like Haiti.

So it is almost certain that GPS tracking systems will be among the tools in the cleanup. How will GPS tracking devices be used to put the toppled Caribbean nation back on its feet?

It is unlikely any GPS tracking devices are transmitting their location coordinates from under feet of concrete, metal and wood, serving as beacons to people in need of aid. Haiti is an impoverished nation. Natives of Haiti average about $2 a day in wages. The average citizen would not own a cell phone, let alone an independent GPS tracking device.

But GPS tracking is also a great tool for law enforcement and search and rescue teams during natural disasters because it can pinpoint locations of receivers within a couple of feet of accuracy. Those watching the recovery efforts probably will see or hear about GPS technology being used for its locating and mapping qualities. GPS tracking has become an important part of all kinds of emergency response missions, from directing emergency vehicles to finding bodies.

In the days immediately following a natural disaster of this magnitude, confusion usually ensues. Massive groups of volunteers might lack leadership. The same buildings might be searched over and over while others remain untouched. Bodies could be counted twice or more. Then there is the language barrier (most Haitians speak Creole).

How GPS Might Help in Haiti:

• Vehicle tracking devices could be installed in all emergency response and volunteer mobile units for an emergency fleet management program. Rescue coordinators could easily identify and monitor all their vehicles at the same time on a digital map. The application could be accessed by others in the field via laptop computers.
• GPS tracking and locating services can be used to map out the area of destruction and then divide it into a geographic grid so rescue efforts are maximized rather than duplicated.
• Rescuers can be issued GPS-enabled handhelds. The volunteers could note and geotag search areas that must later be revisited. Rubble is rubble, unless each pile is distinguished by its own, unique GPS location coordinates. Helpers in the field could note the location of landmarks, human fatalities, physical hazards, etc. and they will be known to all by their latitude and longitude indexes. In 2001 during 9/11, GPS tracking was just coming into common use, yet it was invaluable for the Herculean task of identifying body parts and personal belongings in New York.
• Special equipment and software could be created to integrate GPS with other technologies such infrared, night vision or heat-detecting cameras (or remote-controlled robots!) to infiltrate or get into the rubble where an average size human could not without considerable digging and effort.
• Disaster relief sites such as first aid, water, emergency shelter and public address stations could be identified by GPS tracking and locating services and people could be accurately and quickly guided to those areas, regardless of their point of origin.
• Rescuers trapped under a fresh structural collapse are more likely to be found if they are carrying GPS-equipped mobile devices.

Embrace Technology

As impersonal as technology might seem to some people, it could also be said that it has a unifying quality. It works on an international scale and makes the physical distances between us seem to disappear. Only in this modern age, with the Internet, text messaging, Twitter, YouTube, wireless cellular communications and Global Positioning System satellites, could disaster strike in a remote area of the world, and then help arrive within hours of that tragedy.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

They are invading our lives - GPS Tracking devices.  In fact, you never know when you might be near one.  GPS Tracking is being implemented faster than you can imagine in a variety of applications.

Here are the most popular uses for GPS Tracking devices.

Vehicle Tracking

Let us enumerate the ways these units are being used in vehicles:  Automobile tracking, delivery tracking, heavy equipment tracking, boat tracking, semi-trailer tracking, even motorcycle tracking.  Busses, taxi cabs, trains, planes are all prime candidates for GPS Tracking.

Personal Tracking

With battery powered GPS Tracking devices, you can track people where ever they go.  The exception is underground in a cave.  Some locations have interference that prevents signals from being transmitted to satellites that are circling the earth, but not too many.  And, even if they are, they most likely will not remain out of the watchful eye of these orbiting monitors forever.

Consider the safety and security that these devices afford to those who choose to use them.  Then, if the situation warrants, they can be separated from their owners for privacy reasons.

Business Tracking

Businesses are enjoying greater profits these days with the integration of these devices into their daily operations.  By being able to track deliveries, location of assets and monitor customer service and expenses, businesses are much better with GPS Tracking on their side.

Public Tracking

We have mentioned public modes of transportation, but what of publically owned vehicles and their use?  Trucks, tractors, and other items that are expensive can be kept under close watch and monitored for use.  Public employees are watched for the time that they spend in these vehicles and the locations to which they travel.  This helps keep expenses on fuel and maintenance low.

Police use of GPS Tracking is making huge in-roads in the tracking and prosecuting of criminals.  All under the watchful eye of the court system to ensure that personal rights are not violated.

There are so many ways that GPS Tracking can benefit us, it is difficult to count them all but one thing is for sure - we are better off with them in use than not.

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking Device to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for you or your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

So many business types are beginning to use GPS Tracking systems to track their vehicles that it is becoming difficult to follow each one.  The latest application that is coming to attention is private ambulance companies that transport the medically infirmed and emergency victims.

In Europe and Great Britain, GPS Tracking systems are being employed to perform reporting functions.  The first is being able to monitor when sirens and lights are activated to ensure that they are being used properly.  The second is for ISO 9001, 1401, 1801 and 2701 compliance.

In major metropolitan areas, GPS Tracking provides a method for keeping track of emergency vehicles that are on active ‘runs.’  This helps dispatchers to use the closest units to an accident scene.  With time often of the essence, this helps reduce arrivals to accident locations which can save lives.

Location Verification

GPS Tracking systems with real-time reporting give screen updates every two minutes in order to be able to follow the location of an emergency vehicle at all times, not just during emergency runs.  This helps save on fuel and prevent unauthorized use as well.

Direction of Travel

Knowing where an ambulance is during a run will help dispatchers to be able to re-route based on the quickest route and other information such as traffic jams, etc.

Speed Driven

If an ambulance has its lights and sirens activated, it is apparent that it needs to reach its destination quickly.  But how quickly?  Is the driver placing others in danger because of risky driving and speeds?  GPS Tracking reports on this data and it can then be compiled into a report to make sure that a driver is driving in an unsafe manner, even when on emergency runs.

Route taken

Did the ambulance take the quickest route to an intended destination?  Was there a closer or better route that should have been considered?  Re-routing does not mean second-guessing, but rather disseminating information that an ambulance driver might not have.  It makes sense for more than one pair of eyes looks at the whole picture.

Ambulance and emergency equipment have a tough job to just get to the scene of an accident without having one themselves.  It is imperative, now, that GPS Tracking systems become integrated within emergency departments.  What are you waiting for?

Rocking Mountain Tracking has the best line-up of GPS Tracking Device to meet any need.  Take a look at their products and options for the best fit for your business.  You will find knowledgeable sales persons in helping you get the best unit to meet your requirements.

By Greg Bartlett

With the development of GPS technology over the past decade, many people are seeing the great benefits of a GPS tracking device in everyday life. However, some people want to have the benefits in the easiest way possible.

People know that cutting corners does not work, but often they still try it anyway. This is true in the area of GPS tracking. Real time tracking systems may seem a bit pricy to people who are just getting into the world of GPS tracking. They might think that they could save a bit of cash and just use their cell phone instead. However, people cannot expect the GPS capabilities of their cell phone to be as effective as a real time GPS tracking device.

Diana Haley discovered this first hand. She was recently stranded for an entire night after she got lost hiking in a nature preserve in Wisconsin. Although she called 911, her cell phone battery was dying and her signal was poor. The police department tried in vain to locate her using the GPS tracking device on her cell phone.The woman was rescued the next morning, but it took a helicopter, an airplane, tracking dogs, and many people to locate her.

Although your cell phone might seem to be a more convenient and cheaper option than a real time GPS tracking device, it is certainly not the most accurate and reliable option.

Real time GPS trackers have the reputation of accuracy and reliability that a cell phone with GPS capabilities cannot touch. Cell phone GPS is dependent on the signal of the cell phone as well as the battery life, both of which are not very reliable. Also, cell phones cannot pinpoint the exact location of the signal, whereas a GPS tracking device can put you within a few feet of the signal.

Even the argument that a cell phone is more convenient is not as strong as it has been in the past. Every year, GPS trackers are getting smaller and lighter, but the battery life and strong, reliable signal are remaining consistent.

The moral of the story is that if you plan on relying on GPS tracking to rescue you from any sort of peril, you need to be putting your trust in a real time GPS tracking system instead of your cell phone. It may cost you a little bit more each month, but it will be worth it in the long run.

By James Neely

In the realm of law enforcement, agencies tasked with enforcing laws on the books are faced with ever increasing case loads and fewer resources. The smart agency looks for ways to help in the obtaining of facts relative to on-going investigations.

One of the ways that this is possible, is with a GPS Tracking system. These affordable systems can mean the difference between obtaining an arrest warrant and having to wait for the next “right time” to see if more evidence is forthcoming.

Law enforcement use. GPS Tracking systems are being used more and more in the tracking of suspect vehicles to help establish the ‘where and when’ facts that will help the prosecution’s case against a perpetrator. Even though a search warrant is usually obtained in all of these cases, it has not yet been established that it is necessary.

Crime deterrent use. When people know that they are under surveillance, it changes their actions. It does not work for everyone, but it does for a majority of people. Just to know that you are being recorded should make you think twice about your actions.

Action verification system. If you say that you performed a task that can be verified by a GPS Tracking system, then it will be in your best interest to present factual information to substantiate the claim.
The evidentiary edge. With data from a GPS Tracking system, you legally use the data in support of your claim in a court of law. It is not pleasant to have to perform this task, but it will help keeping you from having to pay for damages for restitution caused by lack of compliance to known laws.

Holding people accountable for their actions. Being able to affect the actions of many who have shown a propensity toward illegal activities is priceless. Especially in the day and age in which we live which is littered with the cases of those who have been caught and are now serving time for their actions.
These points all are relevant to the use and implementation of GPS car tracking devices in the methods that police agencies use in order to obtain evidence in committed and on-going crimes. There is certainly room for discussion as to the legality of use, but there is no question that the devices provide invaluable information that is used in making sure laws are not broken. Or if they are, then evidence can be quickly and easily obtained.

It is this kind of attitude towards compliance with laws and rules that makes for a better world in which to live.

By Greg Bartlett

Vehicle tracking using GPS technology can now be used to save many more lives in emergency situations. Ambulances, fire trucks, and even police cruisers equipped with GPS tracking devices whose signals are monitored by dispatchers can make the response times in emergencies much shorter than they used to be.

If emergency vehicles are being monitored by dispatchers with vehicle tracking systems, it is possible to send the unit closest to an emergency, provided that unit is not already responding to a call. This could mean that an ambulance that has just dropped a patient at a hospital and is on its way back to its station could be closer to a call than the one still at the station serving that area. In this case, dispatch should send the closest unit rather than the one in the station. This move could very well make the difference between life and death.

Vehicle tracking can also be used for fire dispatch as well. Even though fire districts are drawn out on maps of the city, there are times when one station is actually closer to a fire in another district than the station supposed to serve that area. Dispatchers who are aware of the actual locations of fire trucks can dispatch the nearer units and the station that normally covers the area at the same time.

Under previous systems, the station assigned to an area would be dispatched first, then it would be up to the ranking officer on scene to request assistance if needed. Use of vehicle tracking systems could be used to send the nearest units so that many houses that have been lost in the past could have been saved by a more timely arrival of emergency response units.

Police cruisers are also better dispatched when vehicle tracking systems are used. Like other emergency vehicles, police are often assigned specific areas for patrol. However, there are times when a unit may be on the far side of its coverage area when an emergency arises. If this happens, and another cruiser from a neighboring area is closer to the scene, dispatchers can send in the nearer vehicle to provide for better response time. Depending on the situation, this could save many lives as well.

Vehicle tracking systems that use GPS technology can be used with much success in the area of emergency dispatch to save more lives than was possible before the advent of GPS technology.

By Harriette Halepis

Horses can make some of the best companions. Learning how to ride a horse means exploring your world at the whim of a semi-wild creature – what could be more exhilarating? While those that enjoy equestrian sports relish the thought of riding into the sunset, sometimes accidents can happen at the worst possible moments. When a person on horseback takes a tumble, the consequences are often more than slightly dire.

Since most horses tend to be a great deal taller than most riders, falling from a horse can mean a lot of broken bones. In some cases it can even mean spinal injuries. If this type of accident occurs inside of a ring, then emergency aid can be applied right away. However, the rider that falls while exploring mountainous terrain or a rocky cliff might be in for a long wait. Even if other people know the path that a rider intends to take while out for a short ride, rescue help might not arrive for hours after the initial fall. In addition, many riders are actually dragged by a startled horse causing them to veer drastically from the path at hand. In this case, looking for a rider can take more than hours… it can take days.

Most injuries of this sort must be treated right away. Otherwise, minor injuries can turn into life threatening wounds. Up until this point, there was no way for a rescue team to locate a lost rider. Today, GPS technology exists, which makes finding someone a lot easier. Some GPS trackers come with panic buttons that can be pressed in case of an emergency. Others simply track the movements of a particular person, which can be very helpful if that person has not returned to their original destination at the expected time. Both trackers are lightweight, easily portable, and life-saving.

Should you fall off of a horse during a ride, it is best not to move at all. Do not try to get up, walk, or crawl in any direction if you think that you may have suffered major injuries. Most injuries must be kept immobile if they are to heal at all. Instead, stay where you have fallen, wait for help to arrive, and then try to explain to rescue workers the exact cause of your accident. If you happen to have a GPS tracker on you at the time of your fall, then you shouldn’t have to wait too long for help to arrive. Horseback riding can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous. Make sure that you carry a GPS tracker with you on your next ride…you never know when you might fall from high.

By Jonathan Tipton

One of my favorite things to do in the early spring is go up to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in the North-western section of Ontario. Sleeping Giant has many trails and is an amazing source for seeing wildlife up close. My story is about nature getting too close and how my GPS tracking device allowed me to survive. I have been going to “the Giant” for some years now, and I like to go off-trail to see what I can discover.

Two summers ago, what I found was a bear cub unattended. I stupidly thought this would make an ideal photo and began snapping away. The cub was happily playing alone across a clearing in the woods while I took my pictures. Unfortunately, I didn’t pay attention to the wind until I heard a bellowing roar from the other side and saw the mother bear charging at me. Have you ever heard the joke about how you only have to outrun your companions? Well, when you’re alone, you have to outrun the bear!

I fled for my life, running blindly away from the 700 lb. killing machine that was in hot pursuit. Zigzagging may be what is recommended by the experts, but I found that afternoon that it slows your escape and allows the bear to close the distance much too quickly. In my dash, I didn’t notice that I was coming close to the sheer cliffs until it was too late. I was forced into a skidding turn to avoid plunging over the edge, only to trip and fall into a deep fissure in the top of the cliff. This probably saved my life. I got banged up pretty badly from the fall, but wasn’t seriously hurt and the bear couldn’t get to me. She tried, she kept trying to swat at me for what seemed like an eternity until she gave up and returned to her baby.

I stayed stuck in my hole for a few hours, too afraid to move. But as the sun began to go down, I knew that I had to get out of the park or else I could freeze during the night. My escape had taken me a long way from where I was and I didn’t recognize any of the landmarks when I emerged. Luckily one of the things I always carry with me is a GPS tracking device. I like to use it with google maps to see where I have been in the park. I called the 1-800 number that came with the device and asked to speak to an operator. The young lady who came on the line was pleasant and very helpful.

I explained my predicament and asked if she would be able to use my GPS tracking device to help me navigate out of the woods. With her assistance I was able to determine my current location and began the slow process of finding my way to the ranger’s station. I don’t know what the standard procedure is in these situations, but she called ahead to the park wardens to inform them I was coming and promised to call me every 20 minutes to check on my progress. Her updates helped me to make course corrections and allowed me to get to the safety of the station in good time, without suffering through the cold night. My GPS tracking device was a lifesaver! For more informaiton about tracking devices, call Rocky Mountain Tracking at 888-242-0500.

By Greg Bartlett

Policemen are the everyday heroes. They’re the soldiers against domestic crime. Every day a policeman somewhere risks everything to protect the life or property of citizens like you and me. What if we could make their job a little easier simply by making use of an already existing technology? What if we could give our policemen an edge over the criminals they are pitted against every day? With GPS tracking devices, we can do exactly that.

The developing technology of GPS tracking allows remote location of a person or object by following a signal emitted by the GPS transmitter. One of the most common applications of this idea is to place a GPS tracking device in an object or on a person, allowing that object or person to easily be followed in the case of theft or kidnapping. In addition, equipping police cars with GPS transmitters allows a dispatch center to be aware of the location of each car at all times. When multiple cars are needed to follow or surround a subject, knowledge of each car’s location allows for greater efficiency and safety on the part of all the officers.

If you’ve ever listened to a police radio, you know that every message that comes across the airwaves carries potential danger for the responding officer. Each officer relies on his colleagues to back him up in those dangerous situations. GPS tracking devices can help officers work in tandem in a way that they would be unable to do without it. An armed robbery suspect drives his car into the woods. Ten police cars follow closely behind. Their search can be greatly expedited by knowing which roads are blocked by other officers, which areas have been covered and cleared, and how far they are from the next police car. A little girl wanders away from home, carrying her Hannah Montana backpack. The frantic mother assures police that the backpack had a GPS tracking device implanted in case of just such an emergency. In a fraction of the time it would otherwise take, the lost little one is reunited with her family.

We all value and respect the police officers who risk their lives to keep us safe. We can make their jobs easier by being aware of the technology that’s available through GPS tracking devices and implementing it when we can. It’s a great way to say thank you to our everyday heroes. For more information about GPS, visit http://www.RMTracking.com.

By Harriette Halepis

One of the biggest fears within the minds of parents is that their children will get hurt. Whether they are at school, outside playing, or at a friend’s house, this concern is a real one. Parents are also wary of being “helicopter parents,” constantly hovering over their children and making sure they are safe while preventing their children from having any fun. How can this seemingly impenetrable dichotomy be resolved? GPS tracking can help.

GPS sensors, which can be placed on belt loops or sewn into clothing, keep a close eye on children when parents simply can’t. If a child, for instance, is out playing, and the GPS system shows that the child hasn’t moved for a while, then parents will not only know that something is awry, but they will also know where their child can be located. GPS technology, almost paradoxically with all of its “Big Brother” connotations, allows children more freedom. If a child wants to go bicycling with the neighbor kids, parents with GPS technology can rest easy knowing that if something occurs to their child, they will be the very first to know. In the event of an emergency, GPS simply provides more time for action. Those extra few minutes are crucial in the event of an emergency.

GPS can also help if (heaven forbid) a child is abducted by a predator. The first question rushing through the frantic mind of a parent in that situation is, “Where is my child?!” GPS answers that question in a few seconds. Many children who have been hurt by predators in the past could have been protected with GPS technology, and with the modern affordability of GPS technology, many children will be saved by the technology. Imagine if GPS had been involved in some of the more famous stories of child abductions. These horrific stories would not have been told at all. Fortunately, with GPS, these stories can all but be eliminated from the future.

Being a parent is stressful enough. Why worry about the safety of children? GPS technology frees the psyche of the stress involved in worrying about children’s safety and allows the mind to focus on more positive and productive things, such as caring and nurturing for the emotional life of one’s children. Concern for the safety of one’s children will never be erased completely – it’s a natural part of being a parent, and it is healthy. However, GPS systems help not only to ease that stress, but also to allow the parent to act responsibly and proactively in the case of an emergency.