Precision Indoor Personnel Location and Tracking for Emergency Responders

Third Annual Technology Workshop, August 4-6, 2008

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA

Download Preliminary Agenda in PDF (PDF, 833KB)

Download Marriott Hotel Information in PDF (PDF, 66KB)

Download Directions to WPI PDF (PDF, 51KB)

Walking Directions from Marriott in PDF (PDF, 84KB)

Driving Directions from Marriott in PDF (PDF, 85KB)

Download WPI Campus Map in PDF (PDF, 95KB)

Download Announcement as a PDF flyer (PDF, 23KB)

Online Registration Form (Deadline: May 15, 2008)

Workshop Focus

This Workshop will provide a forum for researchers and developers working in the important area of indoor location and tracking of emergency response personnel to share technical knowledge and to define the state of the art. The focus of this workshop is zero pre-installed infrastructure tracking, that is systems that do not require any previously installed wiring or equipment in the target building, such as is required by RFID-type systems. Further, the focus is on systems which provide complete tracking and position information on all equipped personnel to the incident command post. Simpler approaches ("homing devices") will also be considered for inclusion in the Workshop. Also, a session will be dedicated to the physiological monitoring of first responders. Select representatives of the governmental and user communities will participate.

Keynote Speakers

Jalal Mapar, Program Manager, DHS S&T Directorate
Chief Charlie Dickinson, Deputy Assistant Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration, USFA

Workshop Organization and Results

Working sessions will be organized around the major technical challenges. It is expected that all participants will contribute from their own experience and will share knowledge and best practices. A report will be published after the conclusion of the Workshop, including the submitted abstracts from the participants and synopses of the discussions and conclusions of the Workshop itself. Monday and Tuesday (August 4th and 5th) will consist of presentations, demos, and working sessions.

An optional third day (August 6th) will allow system developers to test and demonstrate their system using standard scenarios and scripts in a building on the WPI campus or at a WFD training facility.

Call for Participation and Registration

Potential participants are invited to submit a proposal for their contributions to the Workshop via the Request to Participate Form. There is a registration fee of $100. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and housing costs. Travel grants will be available to members of the first responder community.

Session Topics

Final session topics will be determined based upon participant interests and contributions. The following are representative:

Location and tracking experimental results: successful and unsuccessful tests
RF ranging and positioning algorithms: performance in the indoor environment
Inertial navigation and dead reckoning approaches and sensor fusion
Novel approaches (non-RF, non inertial)
Monitoring physiological status
Real-world performance and determining user-requirements and standards

Workshop Deadlines

Submission of "Request to Participate" Proposals: May 15, 2008

Notification of acceptance: June 15, 2008

Registration deadline: July 15, 2008

Travel and Hotel Accommodations

WPI is easily accessible from the Boston or Providence airports via either rental car or airport shuttle services. Please refer to the WPI website for Directions, Maps, Accommodations, Dining, etc.

Information Contact

For further information please contact Colleen Sweeney, ECE Department, WPI, 508-831-5231, sweeney@wpi.edu.

Workshop Sponsors

This workshop is supported by a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety grant.

WPI

Founded in 1865, WPI was one of the nation's earliest technological universities, and it continues to innovate in research and in education.

CTC

The mission of the Public Safety Technology Center in Westboro, MA is to link innovation, technology and best practices for government, public safety organizations, businesses, universities, and research laboratories.

Maintained by ppl@wpi.edu
Last modified: Aug 04, 2008, 07:36 EDT