Product field tests provide critical data for companies

Three companies field-tested specialized products recently during a Texas Task Force 1 full-scale exercise and left with data that will help further refine or market their products. The Sentry5000 Mobile Utility System, the Remote Auxiliary Power System (RAPS) and the Mobile Sleeper Unit were put to the test in a real-world situation, said JD Bolich, Director of the TEEX Product Development Center.

“The full-scale exercise provided a fantastic opportunity for these companies to get feedback from actual responders in field conditions,” Bolich said. “This could lead to product refinement and new designs.” The field evaluations were held under the auspices of the Product Development Center, in conjunction with the Urban Search & Rescue Response Technology Program, managed by Clint Arnett.

The self-contained Sentry5000 Mobile Utility System demonstrated its capabilities for power generation, purifying water, heating & cooling, lighting and satellite communications. Designed for emergency response and disaster recovery, the system provided HVAC and electricity for the Texas Task Force 1 Base of Operations at Disaster City®.

“We were able to demonstrate the full capabilities of our Sentry5000 for an emergency response. This data is critical for our engineering and manufacturing groups to adapt and validate our product for real-world use,” said David Barrett, General Manager of Cummins Power Products.

The Remote Auxiliary Power System (RAPS) uses a specially designed hook and cable to connect to a power line and then convert the power to a 12-volt DC output plug. The device is designed to provide emergency power for military and emergency responders in the field. At the Texas A&M Riverside Campus, the RAPS powered the TX-TF1’s portable, multi-mission communicator, which includes a satellite phone, satellite radio and VHF/UHF radios that allow the team to communicate from anywhere it is deployed.

“We set out to find who had the most experience and expertise to effectively evaluate its (RAPS) potential..It didn’t take long to realize there was only one place we needed to go, Disaster City® and the folks at Texas Engineering Extension Service,” said David Coates with Defense Research Associates.

The Mobile Sleeper Company provided a sleeper unit trailer with climate-controlled beds for 42 task force members at the Riverside Campus. The “mobile dormitory” is designed for emergency responders deployed to disasters, such as forest fires, hurricanes or earthquakes, in areas that are remote or where infrastructure has been destroyed.