TekAlert is testing its system at the Defreestville, N.Y., firestation, located near the Rensselaer Technology Park.

Entering a burning, smoke-filled building is one of the biggest dangers in firefighting.

“Becoming lost and disoriented as a result of being separated from a crew is a major firefighter safety issue,” says Ryan O’Donnell ’04, 22-year-old CEO and co-founder of TekAlert. The technology start-up company won the 2004 Tech Valley Collegiate Business Plan Competition for its plan to develop and market the Team Accountability Buddy System® (TABS).

The wireless tethering system will aid firefighters in burning buildings from becoming separated from their team. The patent-pending TABS is designed to constantly monitor each firefighter, incorporating wireless communications technology, visible light systems, and audible alarms.

“The current practice for keeping the team together in zero-visibility conditions is to hold onto the closest firefighter’s boot. TABS is designed to keep firefighters together without physically holding onto each other and allows both hands to remain free for quicker, more efficient movement,” O’Donnell says.

O’Donnell, who also is assistant fire chief of the Guilderland Fire Department, graduated this year with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. His partner, 21-year-old Keith Lareau ’04, CTO and also co-founder of TekAlert, graduated this year with a bachelor’s dual degree in computer science and computer and systems engineering. Additionally, John Blackburn, 19, a senior majoring in electrical engineering, has become a third partner, as the company’s chief engineer.

The annual Tech Valley Collegiate Business Plan Competition is sponsored by the Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship at Rensselaer’s Lally School of Management and Technology.

TekAlert will receive $5,000 and has the opportunity to receive $20,000 in seed funding, $10,000 in legal counsel and patent application services, $5,000 in accounting services, and additional resources for ancillary expenses. The final level of the award is based on the company’s progress in implementing the business plan. For more information on TekAlert, go to www.tekalert.com.


Originally published in Rensselaer Magazine, Fall 2004
Photo by Mark McCarty

Published October 1, 2004