s drone technology has advanced throughout the years, governments have started to see the countless benefits it can bring to humanity. And of course,
one of the sectors where drones are essential is natural disasters, as they can be extremely valuable in helping first responders assess the damage and locate survivors in the aftermath.
This has been proven to be extremely useful, as in the past, we had to rely on helicopters and ground teams to survey areas affected. In most cases, the whole process was often time-consuming, dangerous, and with the risk of further injuries or casualties. In the worst-case scenario, first responders would even have to wait for days to get a clear picture of the damage and assess the situation.
But with the development of drones, the landscape has changed. And unfortunately, in the past few years, it has been established that the need for such technologies is more and increased, as our planet has seen plenty of calamities, from tsunamis to devastating earthquakes or wildfires.
Even this year, we have observed how crucial technology is in assisting people in need, especially in the face of natural disasters. At the beginning of 2023, in the wake of the powerful earthquake that happened in Turkey, multiple drone manufacturers offered to help in the rescue missions and provide assistance.
We need to emphasize that these efforts are crucial during natural catastrophes, and time is of the essence!
What are drones?
It’s clear that drones are capable of providing a faster reaction than manned missions. During a catastrophe, traditional emergency services might not be able to reach the affected regions due to the damage or destruction of the infrastructure. Here, drones come into play. It’s essential, especially in the early stage of a disaster, when time is crucial and access to the impacted areas may be restricted.
Since they are equipped with different kinds of sensors, such as thermal cameras or infrared cameras, they can help identify survivors in rubble or difficult-to-access areas. This will allow first responders to undertake inspection procedures and threat assessment of the disaster region before dispatching relief workers.
Think about it! There are multiple people who survived the Turkey earthquake, but unfortunately, they got trapped without access to resources and without any means of entry for people from the outside. But in this situation, drones can deliver supplies like food bundles and water bottles, but also first aid kits.
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The need for mapping it’s an essential requirement that drones can solve
Visual imaging and 3D mapping are critical for disaster-prone areas. Not every location is accessible through traditional methods such as aircraft or satellite mapping. Why? Because it can get too expensive and time-consuming. There is also a lack of high-resolution capabilities. Drone technology, on the other hand, can solve these issues! They are able to offer governments and disaster emergency services a detailed 3D and 360-degree perspective on the affected areas. They can just get it done!
This capability has proved to be valuable in disaster response operations since it enables an extensive study of the damaged regions. A great example of this is the use of drones in the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal earthquake. Thanks to this technology, it was possible to draw maps and models in order to observe and evaluate the damage, perform search and rescue missions as well as repair the infrastructure!
But the potential uses of drones in disaster responses can go far beyond just locating survivors
In fact, besides the ability to deliver essential supplies, larger-sized drones can also transport people. We cannot emphasize how essential this could be, especially in areas where it is difficult to reach the ground due to hazards.
Even more so, we hate to say it, but wildfires have become a common thing nowadays. But with aircraft, pilots and crews could be put in danger as they have to fly at low altitudes in order to fight wildfires, and they must endure high temperatures and low visibility. However, drones can provide a significant helping hand here as they can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of battling fires.
Think of the wildfires that ravaged California in the last couple of years. As drones are equipped with thermal imaging cameras, they are able to fly over the fire zones, and firefighters can determine the scope of the fires and track the movement of the flames much easier. Captain Richard Cordova from the Cal Fire Riverside stated that:
“In the past, we would have someone out there actually walking in the fire line to get the acres on the wildfire, and now we just fly a drone.”
Captain Richard Cordova’s statement highlights just how revolutionary the use of drones can be in the fight against wildfires and natural disasters in general. And it’s true! Drones offer a unique perspective that is often inaccessible to humans.
Do not knock drones out of the picture. With the advancements in technology, we are sure that they will be able to assist us even more in our ongoing battle with natural calamities. Every government should test and implement drones in their emergency program. It can be a life-saving measure!
By
Alice Brasoveanu
•
September 24, 2024 4:35 PM
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