Team Members: Amy Yeboah Quarkume, Ph.D., Joseph Wilkins, Ph.D., Lauren Taylor, MPA
Howard University
The wildfire challenge we face today necessitates innovative solutions that bridge the gap between data availability and community communication. Access to accurate and timely information is crucial in wildfire-prone communities, where it can mean the difference between safety and disaster. National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) satellites and advanced technology has significantly enhanced our understanding of wildfires. However, many vulnerable communities are not prioritized as end-users, resulting in untapped resources about wildfire and health risks. Disparities persist in reporting data points at hyper-local levels and in the accessibility of air and water quality, historical wildfire data, and long-term health exposure data. Additionally, the lack of effective communication channels for addressing wildfire concerns remain a significant issue. Our proposal, Fire Smart Health Guardian + Taylor, aims to address these challenges with an integrated system consisting of mobile access to a wildfire monitoring system, communication through Generative AI technology, and an IoT PM 2.5 wearable device to provide public health data. Leveraging NASA's Open-Source Earth System Digital Twin (DT) for wildfires and air quality, Fire Alarm DT, our solution enables seamless communication of wildfire concerns through natural language processing. Along with NASA's satellite observations through Fire Alarm DT, we will provide warnings for wildfire risks and associated hazardous air pollution during the pre-fire stage. During active fires, mobile users will be delivered real-time updates on air quality and associated wildfire intensity available from the Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), facilitating timely responses and protecting public health in underserved communities. Furthermore, our wearable device with Fire Alarm DT, PM2.5 sensor monitors post-fire exposure remaining the user to protect themselves with a mask, calculate the amount of exposure, creates a feedback loop to NASA improving data models and provides a cumulative exposure report suitable for health and insurance purposes as user navigate recovery efforts, supporting informed decision-making and promoting safety measures.
The assembled team from Howard University comprises Dr. Amy Yeboah Quarkume, Associate Professor specializing in the intersections of race, data science, and environmental justice; Lauren L. Taylor, doctoral student focusing on intersectionality, environmental racism, and cultural identity; and Dr. Joseph Wilkins, Assistant Professor, renowned in the fire modeling community for his expertise in remote sensing tools and air quality model development. Our partner organizations include NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), National Center for Atmospheric Science (NCAR), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Center for Atmospheric Science and Meteorology (NCAS-M II).
