In recent years, the utilization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, in search and rescue (SAR) and emergency management has emerged as a game-changer. The combination of UAVs with Geographic Information System (GIS) predictive analysis support has paved the way for remarkable advancements in disaster response capabilities. Among the notable examples is the commendable work of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s (FENZ) Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team in New Zealand, which collaborates with organizations like the NZ Police and NEMA to provide comprehensive disaster response. Let’s delve into the opportunities and benefits presented by UAVs in SAR and emergency management.
Mapping and Disaster Management:
One of the primary applications of UAVs in disaster management lies in their ability to provide real-time aerial mapping. Equipped with advanced imaging technologies and high-resolution cameras, drones offer a bird’s-eye view of affected areas, enabling emergency response teams to quickly assess the situation and identify critical hotspots. The USAR team in New Zealand has effectively utilized drones to identify hotspots in fires, enhancing situational awareness and aiding in decision-making processes.
Search and Rescue:
UAVs have revolutionized search and rescue operations by significantly reducing response times and improving effectiveness. Autonomous drones, capable of scanning vast landscapes and detecting human presence, can swiftly identify individuals in need and relay their precise GPS coordinates to rescue teams. This swift identification and notification process is accomplished in just a fraction of the time required by traditional methods. The integration of FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) technology further enhances rapid response capabilities, allowing drones to detect body heat signatures, even in low-light or adverse weather conditions.
Predictive Analysis and Algorithmic Feature Detection:
Combining UAV capabilities with GIS predictive analysis support empowers emergency management teams with proactive decision-making abilities. By leveraging historical data, real-time inputs, and algorithms, drones can predict the potential path of a disaster, assess the impact on infrastructure, and identify vulnerable areas or populations. Algorithmic linear feature detection algorithms can analyze the data captured by drones and swiftly identify essential elements like roads, buildings, and water bodies. This information helps emergency managers allocate resources more effectively and streamline disaster response efforts.
Cost and Consistency of Delivery of Service:
Implementing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in search and rescue (SAR) and emergency management presents challenges in terms of cost, consistency of service delivery, and keeping up with technological advancements. Community volunteer groups face difficulties in providing a consistent rapid deployment service due to training costs, qualifications, practice hours, and staying updated with evolving technology. However, government-funded agencies can offer solutions that include rosters, interagency support, risk management, and keeping up with technological advancements. It is also essential to invest in the future workforce by nurturing youth development programs and encouraging careers aligned with SAR and UAV experience. It is worth considering some of the barriers relating to the consistency of delivery and some opportunities;
- Cost Challenges: Community volunteer groups may struggle with the financial burden of acquiring and maintaining UAV equipment for SAR and emergency management purposes.
- Consistency of Service Delivery: Due to limited resources and availability, volunteer groups may find it challenging to provide a consistent and reliable rapid deployment service.
- Training Costs and Qualifications: Obtaining the necessary qualifications and training for operating UAVs can be costly, making it difficult for volunteer groups to keep up with these requirements.
- Practice Hours and Proficiency: Volunteer groups often face constraints in allocating sufficient practice hours to maintain proficiency in operating UAVs, hindering their ability to effectively respond to emergencies.
- Technological Advancements: Staying updated with rapidly evolving UAV technology, especially in integrating GIS capabilities, can be a challenge for volunteer groups.
- Government-Funded Agencies as a Solution: Entrusting UAV operations to government-funded agencies can address these challenges by providing structured rosters, fostering interagency support, and managing risks and culpability effectively.
- Collaboration with Existing Capabilities: Aligning with existing SAR agencies, such as FENZ and the Police, can streamline operations and ensure seamless integration of UAV technology.
- Investing in the Future Workforce: It remains crucial to invest in the development of the future SAR workforce by promoting youth programs like YSAR and encouraging students to choose careers aligned with SAR and gain UAV experience and qualifications.
- Ensuring Succession: Nurturing a pipeline of skilled individuals with UAV expertise will ensure a smooth transition and sustained integration of UAV technology in SAR and emergency management practices.
The benefits of integrating UAVs into search and rescue and emergency management operations are far-reaching. Their deployment significantly enhances response times, enables real-time mapping and situational awareness, and aids in the swift identification of individuals in distress. By leveraging FLIR technology and algorithmic feature detection, drones become invaluable tools for SAR teams, enabling them to navigate challenging environments and identify critical areas that require immediate attention.
The collaborative efforts of the FENZ Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team in New Zealand, alongside organizations like the NZ Police and NEMA, exemplify the potential of UAVs in disaster response. By embracing this technology and continually exploring new possibilities, we can revolutionize emergency management practices worldwide, saving lives, minimizing damage, and ensuring a more resilient future for communities in the face of adversity.
Steve Campbell | YSAR Trust | steve.campbell@ysar.nz
