A computer/GPS guidance system for emergency rescue vehicle location

The system, as built, has been able to meet all of the original design criteria. In the original rudimentary tests we were sufficiently pleased with the performance to pursue the next step, scheduling trials in the real, small-agency, rural EMS environment. The Federal Communications Commission licensing changes necessary to add the digital data communications to the agency license were probably the most time-consuming portion of the test, with a major delay caused by the turnaround time in the wait for the new license to arrive. Construction of the device to allow "plug and play" installation is possible, with no change in the internal circuitry of the agency transceivers being necessary for the initial testing. To date, all testing has yielded positive results. Tracking the test EMS vehicle throughout the service area (approximately 700 square miles) should prove immensely satisfying.