Chiang Mai University, through its University Services Centre (UNISERV) and the Climate Change Data Centre (CCDC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Charoen Phokkhaphan (CP) for Rural Lives’ Development Foundation and local agencies in Omkoi District, Chiang Mai. The collaboration aims to implement the ‘FireMan Tracker’, which is an innovative communication system designed to enhance the operational capacity and safety of local firefighting volunteers. The MoU signing ceremony took place on March 25, 2026, at the Omkoi District Office, with participation from university executives, representatives of the Foundation, and local government leaders.
This initiative reflects Chiang Mai University’s commitment to applying knowledge, technology, and innovation to address area-based challenges. Omkoi District is characterized by mountainous terrain and dense forest, where limited cellular coverage poses significant communication barriers and safety risks for firefighting officers.
To address these challenges, the ‘FireMan Tracker’ system leverages LoRa Mesh technology as its core communication infrastructure. LoRa (Long Range) is a wireless communication technology that enables long-distance data transmission with low power consumption. Integrated with a mesh network architecture, each device within the system can both receive and relay signals to neighboring nodes, allowing data to propagate across the network without reliance on centralized infrastructure. This decentralized, self-healing network design ensures high resilience and continuous operation, even in areas lacking cellular or internet connectivity.
The officers will use a FireMan Tracker for real-time location tracking. Data from each device is transmitted via the LoRa mesh network to a central control center and visualized through a cloud-based system, accessible via a dashboard or mobile application. This allows incident commanders to maintain a comprehensive operational overview and manage missions more efficiently. In addition, the system is integrated with satellite-based hotspot data, supporting real-time planning and decision-making with enhanced accuracy.
In the initial phase, Chiang Mai University has designed and deployed the network within a pilot area, strategically installing base stations and repeaters in locations suited to the terrain. This approach ensures optimal signal coverage while minimizing limitations caused by terrain barriers.
Chiang Mai University welcomes this significant development, which brings together network partners to co-create an innovation that addresses pressing social and environmental challenges. The initiative reinforces the University’s commitment to becoming a ‘University for Society’ by applying technology to solve real-world, area-based problems, ultimately enhancing the safety and quality of life of local communities. Beyond its immediate impact, the project is expected to strengthen communication infrastructure in remote areas and serve as a model for utilizing technology to drive systemic change. The lessons and outcomes from this pilot will provide a foundation for scaling and extending the solution to other high-risk areas in the future.
