• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices

F1RST

F1RST having a ‘field’ day

June 14, 2022 By Mike Camunas

They’ve got a field. Some rubble. And, drones, too.

They even have dogs.

Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics, or F1RST Field, is located at the Pasco County Sheriff’s property in Land O’ Lakes and works closely with all aspects of the department. (Mike Camunas)

Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security & Tactics, or F1RST, features several aspects in its multidisciplinary research institute, which operates under the Pasco Sheriff’s Department.

The state-of-the-art training facilities represents a collaboration and partnership between academia, practitioners and the private sector — creating the opportunity to discover and provide innovative, cutting-edge techniques.

“A lot of the research questions we have are ones that come up in the field,” F1RST Forensic Science Administrator Austin Polonitza said. “We rely on that academia aspect on figuring out how to answer those questions. We want to fill in the gaps in the knowledge associated with the seven core disciplines.”

F1RST’s seven core disciplines are Forensic Science; Tactics and Human Performance; Public Safety K-9s; Intelligence Studies; Cybersecurity; Unmanned Systems (Drones); and Leadership.

F1RST has various training facilities, both indoor and outdoor.

K-9 Deputy Ryan Kiley works with Joker, a two-year-old officer, at the Helen Rich K-9 training facility in Land O’ Lakes.

The Helen A. Rich K-9 Training and Research Campus is in Land O’ Lakes. It allows housing for the dogs, but also every training scenario for the nearly 40 K-9 officers in the sheriff’s department.

There also are two FEMA-certified rubble piles that are used for mock training for search and rescue with both the K-9s and the fire and rescue department.

“This is what we call ‘engineered chaos,’” Polonitza said, with an obvious measure of pride.

F1RST Forensic Science Administrator Austin Polonitza watches as Sgt. Tony Hallaian operates the department’s Matrice Drone, which is used mainly for searching for missing people, usually by using its heat-seeking function.

Then, there is F1RST Field.

This 11-acre field, which went up in December 2020, houses three different types of environments and can be used for training, for instance, in finding human remains or investigating crime scenes.

Thanks to the Anatomical Gift Program through Florida Gulf Coast University — one of F1RST’s academic partners — and its Human Identity and Trauma Analysis Program, the field can have actual human remains used to create certain scenarios. This allows Human Remains Detection K-9s to practice searching for “a body” and also allows technicians to try different forensics techniques in varying environments, especially those of harsh Florida wetlands.

“The field really simulates and mimics what you’ll encounter in the actual field in Florida,” Polonitza said. “There are no scenarios out there — nothing else like this area because the environment in Florida is so different, dense and moist.”

The field also is a great training location for the Unmanned Systems portion of F1RST, or the drone operators. Those remote-control pilots are able to use drones that have thermal imaging to locate missing people, as well as multispectral imaging to identify gravesites.

“We used thermal imaging to find a missing kayaker on the Withlacoochee River,” Pasco County Sgt. and Drone Operator Tony Hallaian said, noting the kayaker was found in 5 minutes.

Pasco County Sheriff’s Department has two rubble piles that are used for situational training with forensics, the K-9 units, fire and rescue, and more. Dubbed ‘engineered chaos,’ these environments allow the departments to train for all kinds of scenarios they may face in the field.

“In 10 years, (drones will) probably all be automated, but I guess that’s part of the whole program here: how do we make it better?” he said.

As part of the drone research, each device sends feedback for analysis, such as how to improve imaging or battery life. The drone patrol also is integral in hostage situations, as it can send in a drone to assess the situation before the SWAT team enters.

“That saves lives right there,” Hallaian added.

F1RST relies heavily on sharing its academic finds, as it has no limits on how many institutes or university programs it partners with (Florida International University’s Global Forensics and Justice Center is one of dozens of partnerships).

F1RST also has an outreach program to educate the youth — those who might be interested in forensics and the other core disciplines.

“We do have forensics camps,” Polonitza said. “High school students have shown interest in learning the aspects of forensics as possible careers. We’re all about empowering those with the knowledge we learn right here at F1RST.”

To learn more about F1RST, its Anatomical Gift Donation Program and its upcoming training courses, visit FloridaFirstTraining.org.

Published June 15, 2022

Pasco County Sgt. and Drone Operator Tony Hallaian walks atop the urban rubble pile that simulates a disaster in a city environment and includes a donated downed helicopter from Puerto Rico, at the department’s F1RST Field.
Pasco County Sgt. and Drone Operator Tony Hallaian greets Phi, the Forensics Department’s Human Remains Detection K-9 at the Helen Rich K-9 training facility in Land O’ Lakes.
The Pasco County Sheriff department’s Matrice Drone is used mainly for searching for missing people, usually by using its heat-seeking function. That’s how it found a missing kayaker earlier this year.

Project prompts school board to hire land use attorney

January 23, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Project Arthur, a major development that’s been submitted to Pasco County for its review, has prompted Pasco County Schools to approve the use of a land use attorney on an as-needed basis.

In seeking the approval, district documents describe Project Arthur as “a new and unique development, which is proposing to use charter schools as a way to mitigate for future student impacts.”

Having that expert resource available, the document notes “will be beneficial to the Planning Service department” and will “help to protect the interests of the school district.”

The Pasco County School Board voted unanimously to hire Alan Zimmet, a land use attorney with the law firm of Bryant Miller Olive, to assist the district in reviewing the Comprehensive Plan, Development Order, and other documents.

“The law firm’s services will be used on an “as-needed” basis over the course of this fiscal year,” according to the school board’s action.

Project Arthur is a proposed development on nearly 6,951 acres of land known as Bexley South and Bexley North.

The proposal calls for a 24 million-square-foot corporate business park, plus 11,495 residences and other supportive uses in an area east of the Suncoast Parkway, west of the CSX rail line and south of State Road 52.

The attorney will represent the district in negotiations and discussions with the owners of Project Arthur, which at this time include Lennar Homes and Metro Development — regarding the placement, construction, purchase and ownership of school facilities within the development.

In other action, the school board:

  • Approved a two-year extension, for the 2019 and 2020 calendar years, for these members of the Penny for Pasco Oversight Committee who wish to serve an additional term: Gary Evans, Hugh Townsend, Niko Tzoumas, George Iwan, Tom Massey and Paul McClintock
  • Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the National Cyber Partnership regarding the district’s collaboration in the establishment and development of the Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security, and Tactics (F1RST) program, which aims to develop leading edge research. The agreement has no binding impact on the district, but would be helpful in applications seeking grants, according to the board’s agenda materials.

Published January 23, 2019

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

Avalon Applauds Healing Hearts Cafe

August 9, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Congratulations to Healing Hearts Cafe for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Healing Hearts Cafe’s mission … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds Healing Hearts Cafe

Affordable Living At Club Wildwood

July 26, 2022 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Older adults in central and east Pasco County are discovering the charming manufactured home community of Club Wildwood … [Read More...] about Affordable Living At Club Wildwood

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

08/13/2022 – Ask a Gardener

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., in Zephyrhills, will host “Ask a Master Gardener” on Aug. 13 at 9 a.m. and at 10 a.m. A master gardener will be on hand to answer questions. For information, call 813-780-0064. … [Read More...] about 08/13/2022 – Ask a Gardener

08/13/2022 – Belly Dance Show

The American Belly Dance Studio will present “We Come to Belly Dance,” a gala belly dance show, on Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. This is a fun, family oriented show featuring a variety of belly dance styles and costumes. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased online at AmericanBellyDance.com, and at the door if available (limited seating). For information, email , or call 813-416-8333. … [Read More...] about 08/13/2022 – Belly Dance Show

08/14/2022 – Sunday Storytime

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Sunday Storytime on Aug. 14 at 2 p.m., for all ages. Masks are recommended but not required. Registration is required online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/14/2022 – Sunday Storytime

08/15/2022 – Animal Services temporary closure

Pasco County Animal Services, 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O' Lakes, will close to the public on Aug. 15 through Aug. 17. The PCAS team members will be training on a new pet management software, to better serve customers. Offices will re-open for regular business hours on Aug. 18. … [Read More...] about 08/15/2022 – Animal Services temporary closure

08/15/2022 – Choose your adventure

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “Choose Your Library Adventure: Back-to-School Edition 2022” on Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 6 to 12, online. Kids can make their own choices during an interactive journey through Library World. This is a friendly and wise guide to give kids and family the knowledge to make the most of library resources available for fun, education and ongoing adventure. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 08/15/2022 – Choose your adventure

08/16/2022 – Dance party

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host “Dance Party!” storytimes on Aug. 16 and Aug. 17. Toddlers can attend at 10:15 a.m., and preschoolers at 11:15 a.m. The 45-minute sessions include stories, songs and movement. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 08/16/2022 – Dance party

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz News Follow

Your home for weekly news that impacts your life and community. Serving Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

LakerLutzNews
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
18h

Early voting has kicked off in Hillsborough County and is scheduled to begin soon in Pasco County. https://buff.ly/3P9rFLu
#vote

Reply on Twitter 1558121699689873415 Retweet on Twitter 1558121699689873415 Like on Twitter 1558121699689873415 Twitter 1558121699689873415
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
11 Aug

TOP STORY: Food pantries are feeling the pinch.
“People are struggling. People that have never struggled before. Rent is an issue for people. It’s gas. It’s groceries. It’s hitting them from all sides.”
https://buff.ly/3zKm20x

Reply on Twitter 1557758741516263426 Retweet on Twitter 1557758741516263426 Like on Twitter 1557758741516263426 Twitter 1557758741516263426
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
11 Aug

Coming up in #dadecity

Reply on Twitter 1557740164138483713 Retweet on Twitter 1557740164138483713 Like on Twitter 1557740164138483713 2 Twitter 1557740164138483713
Load More

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2022 Community News Publications Inc.

    Wiki