Mobile Command Trailer Renovation Complete
Houghton, MI – This week, teams from Superior Search & Rescue have completed the renovation of the organization’s command and control trailer in time for this past weekend’s Hancock Canal Run- one of the largest events in the area. This renovation was made possible by a generous grant from the Portage Health Foundation First Responders Grant on June 2, 2021. The goal of this project was to upgrade the trailer layout to provide a better arrangement for the users, update the aging technology and electrical systems, and to add new capabilities to better utilize the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery capabilities.
The push for these upgrades stemmed from the UAV team. They needed to be able to process the data quicker and stitch images for maps together faster and locally instead of a cloud-based system. After the search for Cam Bessonen in Paulding, MI showed that upgrades to our current trailer were needed, the team focused on making changes to better serve the community during a time of need. Thanks to the Portage Health Foundation Superior Search & Rescue received a grant that helped cover the costs of these upgrades that will help benefit the community in a time of need.
For the upgrades a 55” TV with internal and external HDMI pass throughs for our UAV team was added. This will allow for less crowding around the UAV pilot while also allowing people to look at what the UAV sees. This is also able to switch to a computer to show digital maps and tracking of field teams. Changes to the heating and cooling system. Added lightweight shelves, and many more changes that all serve direct purposes. The goal of this project was to modernize and expand our capabilities of the old design. Previously we could run two radio stations and store equipment. Now it can not only run comms and store gear but can process aerial images from the UAV team and have digital maps immediately. Being able to serve more roles than just running radios. For a full breakdown of upgrades made, see the list below.
Superior Search & Rescue would also like to say thank you to the following people and agencies for making this project happen: The Portage Health Foundation. Andrew Erickson, Darian Reed, Peter Lamantia, Rithik Sawant, and Todd Fox for the physical work on upgrading the trailer, and numerous other members of the community for supporting this project.
Changes and upgrades made.
55” TV installed, with HDMI passthrough from the exterior of the trailer for the UAV team
27” Computer Monitors for radio stations
Mapping Server for UAV imagery
Whiteboard
LED White and Red overhead lights
New lightweight shelves
Propane heating
Mounted battery charging stations
Interior fans and overhead fan for cooling
Updated 12v and 120v electrical
Printer with water resistant paper
Two new computers
Networking upgrades
