NJ Firefighters Patent Way To Get Timely Lifesaving Information


NJ Firefighters Patent Way To Get Timely Lifesaving InformationTitle

January, 2015

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:

One of our astute members sent me an excellent article on the work of two brothers working to invent software using their experience as firefighters to help save lives.  Seehttp://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/nj_firefighter_hopes_to_go_beyond_the_app_di_ionno.html

We must wish these brothers well.They have a lot of real world experience of the need to do better rescuing crash victims.  In 1997, I had the honor and privilege to work on this problem with leading researchers while I was at NHTSA.  In one of our papers published by NHTSA in 2005, we wrote:
“In future implementations, ACN and URGENCY information could save valuable time by alerting dispatchers that the crash severity information, e.g., rollover, near side impact, high Delta V, indicates heavy rescue teams might well be needed. In addition, since the ACN crash message includes the make and model of the crashed car, it is now
technically possible for heavy rescue teams to receive extrication information on the number of air bags, their location, and vehicle cut points specifically for the crashed vehicle – before arriving at the scene.”
But I must also point out that NHTSA and auto companies have been resistant – to say the least – for nearly two decades.  See research athttps://www.careforcrashvictims.com/assets/2005-urgency.pdf https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/urgency.php
Data on the 648,838 Americans who died of their crash injuries without being transported to any facility for emergency medical treatment over the years 1978 – 2011 are at https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/assets/2012-00872-FATALITIES.PDF
NHTSA classifies these American deaths as “Not Taken”.  The NHTSA fatality data is provided by year and by State.
The American people would benefit by a system whereby automakers provided the information sought by these brothers.  The auto companies have the information.  NHTSA has the duty to issue rules requiring such a national system.
The public needs to address the question: What’s holding NHTSA back?
We can all do better than we have so far.  These brothers are trying to help us all.
Lou

 

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