TOA Systems lightning technology to assist with Alaska wildfire management

TOA Systems, Inc. announced that it has been selected by the Bureau of Land Management Alaska State Office to provide the lightning detection system for the BLM Alaska Fire Service (AFS). The Alaska Fire Service, located in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wild-land fire suppression services for all Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. As part of the AFS contract, TOA will provide 16 precision digital lightning sensors, processing software, and network management and monitoring tools. The complete TOA lightning detection system will be made available for the 2010 lightning season.

“We are proud to have the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service select TOA Systems as their lightning detection system provider,” said Dr. Rodney Bent, founder and CEO of TOA. “This is a great opportunity for TOA with benefits for all involved”.

TOA Systems provides lightning detection systems consisting of advanced lightning detection sensors, data processing and monitoring capabilities, and visualization software to customers throughout the world. This technology is at the heart of the United States Precision Lightning Network™ (USPLN™) and the Global Lightning Network® (GLN®), both of which are partnership of TOA Systems and WSI Corporation. The two companies provide lightning data and services from these networks to the aviation, media, energy, government, and consumer markets.

“The Alaska Fire Service recognized the capabilities and value that TOA offered in a high-quality lightning detection system. We are excited to have TOA technology providing this critical function,” said Kim Rauenzahn, USPLN/GLN Lightning Product Manager.