The Fire Protection Research Foundation, an affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association, was awarded $835,000 in a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant to conduct a three-year study on “Evaluation and Enhancement of PASS Effectiveness.” The study will will provide a needed comprehensive review of PASS technology and recommend improvements.

The project will examine ways to improve the safety of distressed firefighters engaged in structural firefighter operations. PASS devices are designed to alert aid for firefighters using audible signal technology. Although in widespread use, there is variability of certain existing performance characteristics that should be standardized, and clear opportunity to further enhance existing PASS technology (i.e. addressable identification embedded in signals or simple receivers to more quickly locate fallen firefighters.)

This project will establish a scientific basis for the optimum PASS signal performance characteristics to improve the technology behind this essential piece of firefighter protective equipment. The work will be led through a collaborative arrangement involving researchers at the University of Texas-Austin and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), under the direction of the Fire Protection Research Foundation. Also, fire service partners with this project include:

• National Volunteer Fire Council
• Glendale (Ariz.) Fire Department
• Metropolitan Fire Chief Association
• Austin (Tex.) Fire Department
• NFPA Fire Service Section
• Portland (Ore.) Fire and Rescue

The three-year project is slated to be completed by July 2014.