When the Signal FailsIt started during a volunteer search-and-rescue exercise in the mountains. We had radios, phones, even satellite messengers, but the radios crackled with static in the valleys, cell service was non-existent, and the sat devices were too few and slow to hand off between teams.
That day, a simulated "lost hiker" turned into a real scare: one responder sprained an ankle, and it took over an hour to relay the news and get help moving in. The lesson was clear: our first responders were working in the dark, not because they lacked skill, but because they lacked a reliable, off-grid way to talk to each other.
When I discovered Meshtastic, I realized we could change that. The Wio Tracker L1 E-Ink was the perfect core, low power, long-range LoRa mesh, and a sunlight-readable screen. But it needed something more: a rugged, field-ready shell that could survive fire, dust, rain, and rough handling.
So FirstLight was born: a rugged, modular enclosure with glove-friendly controls, sealed ports, clip-on solar charging, and flexible mounting options. It's designed so a firefighter can clip it to their vest, a medic can strap it to a stretcher, or a disaster relief worker can mount it on a vehicle.
Now, whether it's a wildfire, flood, or remote rescue, FirstLight keeps the signal alive because when the network is gone, communication shouldn't be.
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