David Cullett

Wilmington, CA (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal

Emergency Flashback Systems

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Location: Wilmington
Industry: Invention
Year Founded: 2007
Number Employees: 1-10 people
Business Stage: Creation/Idea
Entity Type: Sole Proprietorship
Description: Emergency Flashback Systems 11/01/2010 Hello I am David Cullett, who holds a current patent on an emergency collision avoidance system. The concept behind the invention is that emergency vehicles driven at high rates of speed by police, fire and ambulance drivers need a system that could effectively alert them to the location and distance of other emergency vehicles in general proximity heading to the same emergency. The intent is to avoid collisions. I was influenced by my own experience and by the numbers of collisions as reported in the various media. Emergency vehicles at present certainly have the capacity to communicate verbally, but the question is how effective can they be. The sender could reveal its location in running commentary, but given the constraints of noise factors, how effectively can the parties reconcile their respective position. My patent provides for a system of lights within a compartment on the dashboard. The units would be comprised of led lights in different color coordination . Red could represent fifty yards yellow at at 1,000 ft blue at 1,500 ft and these lights would indicate the direction that other emergency vehicles are coming from the subject vehicles . These are arbitrary figures, and the patent allows for substantial variations. The location of lights would represent the direction from which the other emergency vehicles are approaching; therefore the entire system provides for direction and distance of oncoming emergency vehicles. This system is not influenced by sound and is capable of working regardless if the radio is on or the windows are shut benefitting the hearing impaired and cutting down on noise pollution from the surrounding structures. What else do we bring to the table beside the patent? Has there been any research into the demand for such a system? One of the meetings we had was with the coordinator for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lieutenant Mark Weldon who was responsible to investigate and coordinate vendor requests for product demonstrations and to act as their single source department representative on all technology issues . He said the concept seems to have the potential for use by 1st responders. The Lieutenant was impressed enough to send a letter to a national clearing house in Florida which analyzes products that can be used by emergency responders. Unfortunately they are not involved with funding. We also have talk to ambulance drivers, and the fire departments, the response has always been positive. Other agencies have indicated that if we show them the product, they will test it. Can this product be produced, and if so at what cost? We employed two engineers and both concurred that a finished prototype was estimated to be produced for approximately $175,000 to $200,000 two years ago. We then hired a consultant who concurred that the production of the patent was feasible. We believe that the cost of manufacturing and marketing may have risen in two years from $300,000 to $350,000 due to economical and potential market fluctuations. The potential market for the product is enormous. It could be viable in any city with a population of over 100,000 and with widespread use implemented in every city across the United States. How many police, fire, and ambulance vehicles are there in each city? Statistical data can be obtained which will allow for approximations for the number of units needed per department. There could ultimately be a secondary market, namely the general driving public. When you are in a car and hear a siren, or if you have your radio on loud when the car windows are rolled up and cannot hear the siren, do you know where the siren is coming from? Would you care to know? If enough jurisdictions employ the system, there could possibly be a secondary market. With a prototype in hand, there is a high probability that several jurisdictions may be able and willing to test the product. If they employ the product in the field and it proves successful, word of mouth advertisement would quickly spread to other agencies. There are web sites listing all cities in the country with their respective populations. It is doubtful that this type of product would require millions of dollars for promotion. We are looking for investors to fund the development of the prototype and then take an active position in the company, as of funding the patent will be escrowed into the Business. We do not care who makes the prototype or mass produces the units or who markets the units. We understand that venture capitalist seek situations that are further advanced; however we believe the upside is substantial in relation to the development costs, and submit this proposal knowing that someone may want to take a closer look. Sincerely, David Cullett 611 henryford ave #31 Wilmington California 90744