Future of UAV in Emergency Response

The 21st Century has witnessed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) revolutionizing the realm of defence by allowing excellent surveillance and leading to tactical preparedness. In the sphere of medicine, the telecommunication system of drones has resulted in efficient diagnosis and treatment, perioperative evaluation, and telementoring in remote areas. Recently, UAVs are also being used in Precision Agriculture to analyze crop growth patterns and inspect crops for diseases. UAV also presents an aerial perspective that has also changed the face of mining. Surveying, terrain mapping and surveillance have ensured the operational efficiency and highest possible safety of the miners. Drones are something mankind was not ready for but will be grateful for.  

An emergency is one event that no one is prepared for despite extensive planning. The ambiguity of such events has always left us grasping for the last straw. A natural disaster like flood, fire, earthquake or tsunami or a man-made disaster like a chemical spill, gas leak, or a mass stampede puts a lot of rescue workers and first responders at the risk of the unknown. The extent of damage can never fully be assessed which results in the allocation and deployment of resources being delayed in most cases. The larger consequence of which is the inability to provide necessary aid to those in the affected areas.  

Here are a few ways where the integration of UAVs in Disaster Management can be instrumental in the rescue and relief efforts during a disaster.   

1. Communication 

One of the first things that get affected during a disaster is traditional communication lines. Phone signals and Wifi’s are often disrupted making it impossible to communicate, be it communication with families, relief centres & or emergency services. This disruption could be due to the weather or due to many people trying to connect at the same time.   

Drones are capable of providing wireless connectivity in the aftermath of a disaster thus establishing a constant communication channel between the affected areas and the centralized control centre.  

2. Damage Assessment  

We rely on the accounts of first responders and on-site relief workers to assess the extent of damage in the affected areas. These accounts do help in the assessment of the damage. But, what we need are real-time visuals and 3D mapping of areas most and least affected by the disaster. This will help us to efficiently navigate through the affected areas, allocate manpower, deliver essential supplies and withdraw additional troops from areas least affected by the disaster. Drones also create 3D maps and models through image processing software to assist in operating search and evacuation missions in these affected areas.  

3. Relief  

During a disaster, rescue teams or the control centre are unaware of the extent of the infrastructural damage in the affected areas. Roads, bridges, and communication lines are all compromised during an emergency. This makes delivery of essential medical, and food supplies highly difficult. Drones are equipped to deliver these supplies swiftly and efficiently. 

4. Surveillance  

In addition to drones being used to surveil disaster-struck areas and monitor fires, floods, and relief efforts, they also assist in surveilling mass gatherings to prevent injuries, stampedes, and violence by providing real-time situational awareness to the control centre. This tackles the major issue of having a limited view of the crowd amend of any incidents that might take place during the gathering.   

What makes Drones so effective are their size, agility, efficient communication, and navigation systems. Drones have been successful in providing aid during the most difficult of times in the past years. It continues to be the most reliable resource in combating the challenges that arise during an emergency. With the advent of Drones in the sphere of technology, disaster management, emergency response, relief and recovery have become much more streamlined to efficiently assess, analyze and swiftly act on an emergency considering their time sensitivity.   

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