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Quinn Stanhope knows firsthand that in a wildfire situation, every moment matters. 

As a member of the Rocky Mountain Unit Crew out of Cranbrook with the BC Wildfire Service, Stanhope is used to moving fast in unpredictable conditions — laying hose, managing pressure and working against the clock. Now, he’s bringing something new to the field: a student-built innovation that could change how wildfire crews work on the frontlines.

Stanhope is about to cap off his Electronic Engineering Technology Diploma at Okanagan College. This year, he and his classmate Alex Reid designed and built a remote-controlled valve system that allows firefighters to stop and start water flow remotely, without having to walk back along hundreds of meters of hose.

It is a simple idea wrought with challenges. But Stanhope and Reid knew that it could have a significant impact. And so, they got down to work. 

The concept took shape after the students were introduced to LoRa, short for low-power, long-range wireless communication technology, in their program. Stanhope quickly saw a connection between LoRa and what he experienced with hoses and water pressure on the wildfire front lines. “I knew how we were working in wildfire situations,” said Stanhope. “And I could see how this technology could fit into that space in a way that hasn’t really been done before.”

In wildfire response, crews often rely on long stretches of connected hoses, sometimes several kilometres, to bring water to the edge of a fire. To extend those lines, firefighters must stop the flow of water, often walking back and forth to manually adjust valves under high pressure.

The students took their idea from concept to creation, designing schematics, selecting components, routing traces on circuit boards, soldering everything together and programming and testing the system. The process was complex and hands-on, requiring both technical skills and persistence. “It’s a really big task,” shared Reid. “You’re building something from the ground up and figuring things out and troubleshooting as you go.”

“Our solution replaces the need to manually adjust vales with a remote system using LoRa,” explained Stanhope. “With the push of a button on the remote, firefighters can stop water flow instantly, add more hose and resume work much faster. This means more time spent fighting the fire and less time spent running back and forth.”

The pair named their solution CHCU (Central Hose Command Unit). Beyond increased efficiency, the CHCU also introduces a new level of precision. Equipped with a pressure sensor, it allows crews to monitor exact pressure levels — replacing the guesswork that often comes with radio communication in the field. 

Instead of estimating, the CHCU has crews work in clear, measurable terms. “That’s something we don’t have yet,” said Stanhope. “With this, instead of being subjective and saying you’re at a seven out of 10 pressure, you can say exactly what the pressure is in PSI (pounds-force per square inch) and adjust it to what you need right away.” 

For Stanhope, who came to ����TV after completing an undergraduate degree in economics, the project represents more than a technical achievement. It reflects the kind of learning that defines his experience at Okanagan College — hands-on, challenging and deeply connected to the real world. 

“This program has been more difficult than I expected,” he admitted. “But it’s also been incredibly rewarding. The skills you gain are greater than I imagined.”

That learning extends beyond technical knowledge. It’s about problem-solving, adaptability and the confidence to take on complex challenges — skills that carry into any workplace.

“You can’t know everything,” Stanhope said. “It’s about learning how to figure things out.”

That mindset is already opening doors. After graduation, Stanhope will begin a new role with BC Hydro as a Communication Protection and Control Technologist — one of several students from the program stepping directly into industry. Reid, who completed an undergraduate degree in biology before enrolling in the Electronics Engineering Tech program, is headed to Scotland for a travel break and to explore career opportunities there. 

“This is exactly what we hope for our students — that moment when learning inspires someone and connects to something bigger,” said ����TV professor and project supervisor, Dr. Scott Fazackerley, who introduced the concept of LoRa to the students. “Quinn and Alex saw a real-world challenge and applied what they learned in the classroom to solve it. That’s a powerful connection and it’s what makes this kind of hands-on education so meaningful and important.” 

“We know that in British Columbia and nationwide, communities face real and growing environmental challenges, like wildfires,” said ����TV Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Judith Anderson. “These communities need people who can think creatively and build solutions, which is exactly what Quinn and Alex have done. It’s a powerful reminder of what's possible through our programs when students are given real problems to solve."

For the students, the most meaningful part of the experience is seeing how education and a real-world challenge have inspired them to create something useful. “Knowing that this could be used in a real wildfire situation,” they said, “it’s really rewarding.”

For more information about the Electronic Engineering Technology Diploma program at Okanagan College, visit okanagancollege.ca/electronic-engineering-technology-diploma.