PAK-TRACKER

MCFRS
PAK – TRACKER
Firefighter Locator System

2018
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Search and Rescue personnel use the Hand Held Receiver to
detect the signal of the firefighters transmitter that is
integrated into the Scott SCBA.
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• The Pak-Tracker is a handheld receiver that can be used to assist
in locating missing/downed firefighters
• The Pak-Tracker, just like the thermal imager, is only a tool and
cannot replace proper search techniques
• The Pak-Tracker cannot be used to blindly follow as personnel will
become disoriented within a structure as well as not identify
obstacles or structural deficiencies
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• A hand-held receiver that can monitor and scroll up to 36 personal
transmitters
• Utilizes three visual and audible indicators to direct the searcher to
the victim(s)
• Easy to use, glove-friendly, push button operation
• Automatic activation of integrated system upon SCBA air activation
• Location distance of greater than 900 feet line of sight
• Based upon directional signal strength received from transmitter
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• Pak-Tracker Locator is a distress alarm located within the buddy lights
• Designed to transmit a signal to the hand-held Pak-Tracker device
• Pak-Tracker Locator is a simple, rugged two-part system consisting of
a Transmitter and a Hand Held Receiver that will be carried on:
• Trucks
• Rescue Squads
• BC Vehicle
• Safety 700
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Pak Trackers will be issued to all special services, the BC vehicles, and
Safety 700; the following will be distributed in a red bag from the SCBA
shop:
1. Pak-Tracker handheld unit with battery
2. One spare battery per unit
3. Desktop AC charger - plugged into the roll up compartment behind
the officer
4. Vehicle mount cradle (BC and Safety 700 vehicles) – mounted in the
drivers side, side compartment of the bed cap
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SCBA Integrated PAK-TRACKER

• PAK-TRACKER Transmitter

• Red Labels on the Sensor

Module

• When the Personal Alert Safety

System (PASS) is ON, the
Transmitter is On
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Physical Features:
• Li-Ion Battery

• Battery Cap (screw on/off)

• Carry Lanyard
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•900 Feet line of sight search
distance

•6 Hour battery Life

•2.4 GHz RF

•Automatic integrated
Activation by SCBA
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Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)

Unlike ultrasonic or infrared-based tracking systems whose

signal can be scattered, deflected or blocked, the
Pak-Tracker™ operates on high frequency radio waves that
more effectively penetrate dense smoke and structural
barriers like walls or floors; however there are still critical
limitations.
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RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE (RFI)
• Limit, to the amount possible, radio frequency in close proximity to the Tracker
as it can disturb the radio frequency being transmitted from the integrated
SCBA to the Pak-Tracker
• Protect the receiver from RFI by keeping radio antennas at least 6 inches away
from receiver and SCBA console and sensor module to prevent disruption in the
signal
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USING THE PAK-TRACKER

• The transmitter signal will pass through some materials, reflect off some
materials, and be absorbed by others
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USING THE PAK-TRACKER
• The transmitter signal will usually pass through:
• Openings such as gaps, holes, stairways, windows, or elevator shafts
• Glass, wood, light building materials

• The transmitter signal will reflect off:

• Large metal objects such as framework and other metal objects
• Brick or concrete block construction to include walls and floors

*The transmitter signal will be absorbed by the human body

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• The Pak-Tracker is very sensitive in responding to small differences in signal
strength
• The relative strength of the SCBA PASS alarm signal detected by the Pak-Tracker
will vary depending on:
• Distance from the SCBA to the Pak-Tracker
• Path the SCBA signal has taken to get to the Pak-Tracker (walls, floors, hallways, etc.)
• Materials between the SCBA and the Pak-Tracker which may have affected the signal from the SCBA
• Orientation of the Hand-Held Receiver
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Successful operation of the PAK-TRACKER Locator system depends heavily on the
interpretation of the relative signal strength information displayed on the hand
held receiver along with all other available information about the possible location
of the activated Transmitter.
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• The user of the Pak-Tracker must interpret the readings on the display along with
other information, such as:
• Training and knowledge in systematic search and rescue techniques
• Their sense of sight (watch where you are going), use of thermal imager to
assist
• Their sense of sound (listen for an activated PASS device)
• The assignment of the missing personnel
• Knowledge of the building layout and building materials
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Do Not rely solely on the readings from the Hand-Held Receiver to locate the
activated Transmitter!**
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USING THE PAK-TRACKER
READ
• Hold the Hand-Held Receiver and point at features such as doors, windows, or
hallways
• Look for the highest relative signal strength as shown in the display on the
hand-held receiver
• It is important to note that the Pak-Tracker uses a directional signal so the hand
held receiver should always be pointed in the direction of the intended search
• The LCD screen must be held parallel with the ground as the signal is emitted
from the side that is directly above the LCD and 90° to the LCD
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USING THE PAK-TRACKER
INTERPRET - Decide where the strongest signal appears to be coming from and
how best to move in that direction

FOLLOW- Move toward the strongest signal while continuing to READ, INTERPRET,
and FOLLOW the signal
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TURNING THE UNIT ON:
• Simultaneously push and hold the
scroll and enter button until unit turns
on
• A series of dashes will appear unless
there are Transmitters in alarm
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Hand-Held Receiver .

Components
• Two Line LCD screen
• Apparatus ID w/ pack ID
• Signal Strength
• Low Battery Indicator
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Hand-Held Receiver
• Displays ID of transmitting SCBA
• Integrated SCBA transmitters are coded
to designated unit and riding assignment
• Receiver can store up to 36 SCBA
identities
• Glove friendly two button operation
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Hand-Held Receiver

•3 Signal Strength indicators

•Scroll/Unlock button

•Enter/Lock button
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•Receiver is on and there are
no Transmitters in alarm

•Transmitter is in alarm

•There are 2 Transmitters in

alarm
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•Transmitter was in alarm
but has reset, no signal
strength

•Signal Strength
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Hand-Held Receiver
• When multiple PASS alarms are activated, the
latest alarm received will be on the top line of
the LCD display
• Use the left button to scroll and view all the
SCBA identities that have been transmitted
**Note: Downward pointing arrows displayed on
the LCD screen indicate that more than two PASS
Alarms are activating.**
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Hand-Held Receiver
• The Pak-Tracker receiver can be locked
onto the PASS signal of an individual
SCBA and be used as a tracking device to
find the member in distress
• Each Pak-Tracker receiver can only lock
onto one SCBA at a time
• Once a Pak-Tracker has locked onto the
signal of a specific PASS it no longer has
the capability to receive any additional
PASS alarm signals
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LOCKING ON TO THE TRANSMITTER:
•When two or more Receivers are displayed the
user must press the scroll button until the
Receiver ID you want to lock on is at the top
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LOCKING ON TO THE TRANSMITTER:
•Firmly press the enter button once to lock on a
Transmitter
•The ID you selected will be the only one listed
•“SEARCHING” will appear and all three signal
indicators will start operating
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UNLOCKING THE RECEIVER:
•Firmly press the scroll button once to
unlock the selected Transmitter
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Inspection:
• Inspect and test the SCOTT Pak-Tracker locator system before each use and at
the start of each tour
• If any malfunction of the Pak-Tracker locator system is noted during the
inspection, remove the equipment from service, notify the SCBA shop, then send
the unit to the SCBA Shop

*Note: If this inspection is done in direct sunlight it may be necessary to shade the display on the hand held
receiver to be sure the display lights are flashing as described
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Inspection:
1. Visually inspect entire Pak-Tracker body, battery compartment cover, and display
for cracks or other damage
2. Check the optional Pak-Tracker strap handle for weakness
3. Verify that all fasteners and mounting hardware are present and tight
4. Check all battery contacts - the contacts must be clean and straight
5. Verify that a fully charged battery is properly installed
6. Turn on the Pak-Tracker by pressing both the Select and Scroll buttons
simultaneously
7. Verify that the unit powers up and all lights and displays operate properly
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Inspection:
Battery Life –
• When the battery in the Pak-Tracker has approximately twenty percent (20%) of its
life remaining, the “Low Batt” indicator light will glow yellow
• If the “Low Batt” indicator lights at any time during the regular operational
inspection, replace the battery pack with a fully charged battery pack before
proceeding with the inspection
• After the “Low Batt” indicator light appears the Pak-Tracker will operate
approximately one (1) hour
• If the battery is not changed in that time, the Pak-Tracker will shut down and will
not operate until a fully charged battery is installed
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• When the battery for the Pak-Tracker is no longer maintaining a charge send an
email to the SCBA shop so that a new battery can be obtained from the SCBA
shop

• Defective batteries need to be returned to the SCBA shop

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TURNING THE UNIT OFF:

•Simultaneously push and

hold the scroll and enter
button until unit turns off.
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CLEANING:
• The components of the Pak-Tracker are factory sealed to protect the electronics from
dirt and moisture
• The unit should be cleaned when necessary using a cloth dampened with a solution of
mild detergent and water
• After cleaning, perform a regular operational inspection of the equipment

*DO NOT IMMERSE, SPRAY, OR DOUSE THE PAK-TRACKER IN LIQUIDS.

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Thank you for your time reviewing this valuable
training material, please ensure you and your crew are
thoroughly trained on this tool through frequent hands
on training. Find the limitations of this tool and know
how to use it to maximize efficiency when the worst
occurs, when we are searching for our lost brothers
and/or sisters.