First Lego League Team Presents 'Brilliant' Device to Aid First-Responders

A team of local students may have come up with an idea to combat a real problem first-responders face during natural disasters. 

Carbon monoxide poisoning. 

It was part of a presentation for the First Lego League, a robotics and science competition for young people sponsored by the Lego Corp. The program challenges young people 9 to 16 to find a solution to a common problem in their communities. 

This year's theme is "Nature's Fury," fitting because of the snowstorms, hurricanes, earthquakes and other problems the area has faced in recent years because of weather. 

The team reached out to Assistant Fire Chief Steve Eppler, and Eppler explained the details of those natural disasters Vernon had endured over the past few years.  

Eppler said a common problem is carbon monoxide poisoning because of improper generator use. The team then chose focus on that aspect related to a winter storm, Emergency Management Director Michael Purcaro said. 

Purcaro said he was then asked by team leader Michelle Spadaccini to assemble a panel of experts who could constructively critique the project to prepare the team for an upcoming regional competition. The panel included Eppler, Purcaro, Superintendent of Schools Mary Conway, Vernon Police Department Capt. Steve Clark, Fire Chief William Call, Fire Marshal Ray Walker and Town Administrator John Ward.  
 
The team presented its project - an emergency shut-off device for generators - at the Vernon Police Department last week. The five-minute presentation simulated a live news report. The team then took questions from the panel. 

The invention was a hit. The students basically took an off-the-shelf carbon monoxide detector and wired it to the ignition switch of a portable generator.
When the detector is activated, it sets off an alarm, which trips a relay switch and shuts off power to the generator. 

So if the carbon monoxide gets to a dangerous level around the generator, the greater stops working. 

"The idea is absolutely brilliant," Purcaro said. "These students took a $15 dollar item and turned it into a life-saving device." 

The presentation hit home, Purcaro said, because officials, during the past few storms, have said that carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern because of generator misuse in basements, garages and residents simply putting them too close to homes.  
 
"It is a major issue that leads to morbidity and mortality," Purcaro said. "It is definitely a real public health and safety concern. The whole panel was impressed."