RoGO Communications has officially launched DropBlock 2.0, an advanced satellite-enabled communication and GPS tracking solution designed to improve the safety and situational awareness of wildland firefighters and first responders operating in remote areas without cellular connectivity.
The launch coincides with the 13th memorial anniversary of the 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire, which claimed the lives of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots in Arizona. Founded by brothers Rod and Derek Goossen, RoGO Communications developed the technology with the mission of preventing similar tragedies through real-time location tracking and enhanced field communications.
Mobile App Brings Real-Time Location Tracking
The upgraded DropBlock 2.0 features a significantly smaller and lighter satellite-enabled device, making it easier for firefighters to carry during wildfire operations. The system is paired with a newly launched RoGO mobile application, allowing firefighters and incident commanders to monitor the GPS locations of personnel, vehicles, and equipment even in areas without cellular service.
The application also enables point-to-point messaging and provides a shared operational picture by displaying real-time field conditions and resource locations on mobile devices.
Field-Tested by Arizona Forestry Teams
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management conducted field trials of the new DropBlock system with six wildland fire handcrews. Feedback from these tests helped shape the latest version by encouraging a more compact design and adding direct communication capabilities for targeted team messaging.
The platform supports immediate tactical coordination by tracking firefighting crews, bulldozers, fire engines, water tenders, medical evacuation sites, high-value structures, and temporary water resources during wildfire operations.
Portable Weather Station Improves Decision-Making
In addition to location tracking, DropBlock functions as a portable weather station by collecting hyper-local environmental data, including:
- Wind speed and direction
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Additional IoT sensor information
These insights help firefighting teams make faster operational decisions while improving responder safety during rapidly changing wildfire conditions.
Technology Inspired by Yarnell Hill Tragedy
The development of DropBlock was inspired by the devastating Yarnell Hill Fire, where 19 firefighters lost their lives while battling a rapidly advancing wildfire.
Deborah Pfingston, mother of Granite Mountain Hotshot Andrew Ashcraft, welcomed the launch, saying the family believes technology like DropBlock could have provided firefighters with critical information that may have helped save lives.
Expanding Beyond Wildfire Response
While originally engineered for wildland firefighting, DropBlock also supports emergency response during hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters where conventional communication infrastructure is unavailable.
According to Rod Goossen, CEO of RoGO Communications, the commercial launch follows extensive firefighter feedback and is designed to provide a common operational picture that improves coordination during the critical initial stages of wildfire response.
NASA Supports Next-Generation Development
RoGO Communications has also secured a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract to further enhance the technology.
The project focuses on improving coordination between ground crews and aerial firefighting resources by expanding data-sharing capabilities through the DropBlock platform, strengthening communication during complex wildfire operations.
With increasing wildfire activity worldwide, DropBlock 2.0 aims to provide emergency responders with reliable satellite-based communications, real-time GPS tracking, and situational awareness tools that improve operational efficiency while helping protect lives