Drones are starting to become a common piece of technology used in emergency situations and this is due to the various benefits they provide. Although their use is not as widespread yet, drone technology for emergency services is expected to steadily increase.
Just a few examples of ways drones can support emergency response:
- Monitoring catastrophes
- Monitoring landslide effected areas
- Surveying area to assess if safe for responders to enter
- Search missions for missing persons
- Deliver equipment to hard-to-reach-survivors
- Drop life-jacket or other life-support supplies
- Deliver emergency medicines
- Deliver food/water to disaster responders, survivors
- Fire scene inspections
- Post-disaster relief operations
- Monitoring plane crashes debris areas
- Establish temporary Wi-Fi and cell phone access
Disaster situations are typically chaotic, confusing, stressful, and dangerous. The operator of a drone has to be certain they will not interfere with any manned aircraft support that is already in the air.
Operators should only fly a drone into an active area when they have the go-ahead from the Incident Commander or one of their subordinates.
The Incident Command System was implemented to ensure effective and efficient domestic incident management. This is done by integrating all the facilities, organizations, personnel, necessary equipment, procedures, and communication present at the disaster area. This creates the needed organizational structure for first responders and volunteers, generating an efficient system for disaster relief, as well as search and rescue operations.
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