A cloud-based dispatch system created by computer science senior Bryan Ruef helped first responders rescue more than 500 people in the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian.
Florida Search and Rescue and Crowd Emergency Disaster Response Digital Corps, working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the Bahamas, used Ruef’s software – 10-8 Systems – in their search and rescue operations.
Brian Ruef | Cal State Fullerton College of Engineering and Computer Science student and owner for 10-8 Systems
10-8 Systems has handled more than 27,000 incidents in 1,200 cities across 41 states since January 2019.
10-8 Systems enables a dispatcher to quickly identify the exact GPS location of the caller. Rescue calls from multiple agencies can be put into one universal queue and response status can be tracked. The system is cloud-based and accessible via cell phones, tablets, or computers.
Since the company was founded in January 2019, 10-8 Systems has handled more than 27,000 incidents in 1,200 cities across 41 states. A key turning point for 10-8 Systems came in the spring of 2019 when Atul Teckchandani, associate professor of management and entrepreneur-in-residence in the College of Engineering & Computer Science, suggested that Ruef participate in the CSUF Startup Competition. The competition was the first time Ruef had ever pitched his business, but he impressed the judges and took first place, winning a $1,000 scholarship and six months in the CSUF Startup Incubator.
Ruef credits the competition’s preparation process and the CSUF Startup Incubator for putting 10-8 Systems on the path to success. The company now has a team of seasoned business professionals providing advice and supporting corporate growth.
A CSUF team of five computer science students took second place in the Technical Security Competitive at Cal Poly Pomona, where they hacked into a fictitious company to expose potential vulnerabilities.
The College of Engineering & Computer Science celebrates the Class of 2019 – the newest additions to our distinguished alumni family! We look forward to your future achievements.
A poised young woman approaches a podium and begins to discuss her childhood. “The characters I admired most in TV shows always interfaced with computers – they were usually the smartest and most useful.” She then philosophizes, “I always felt this need of wanting to help.” With all eyes at attention, she continues, “It looked like computers were the strongest tool to use to help people.”
