The role of drone technology in crisis management and its impact on communities
The recent devastating earthquake in Japan has raised questions about how best to utilize the drone community to respond to communities in crisis. This is not the first time drones have been deployed in disaster response. They were first recognized as a valuable tool during Hurricane Harvey in Texas. During this disaster, drones were used to assess damage, provide real-time information during extremely volatile incidents, and locate people in need of emergency help.
Since then, drones have been widely adopted by first response organizations. The Drones as First Responders (DFR) program introduces a new paradigm in public safety. Drones can now be placed in strategic locations throughout the city and dispatched immediately when an emergency call comes in. Drones provide real-time information that can help police avoid ambushes, determine the direction a fleeing suspect is fleeing, or add nuance. It helps you understand the situation to help you decide whether an officer is needed.
Drones in Disaster Management: A Variety of Solutions
However, while these organizations embrace the use of drones and are prepared to respond to crisis situations, they may not have access to all the applications that drones can provide to quickly respond to emergency situations. This includes the delivery of essential goods and supplies, which have proven invaluable in disaster response scenarios, as seen in the recent earthquake in Japan. Or the use of special aircraft to search collapsed buildings, such as those used after the Surfside condominium collapse, or the earthquake in Turkey.
The Japan Times reported that the Japan UAS Industry Development Association (JUIDA) has asked its members to support response efforts through cooperation with the 10th Division of the Ground Self-Defense Force. So far, drone delivery operators have successfully delivered medical supplies, surveyed areas suitable for temporary housing construction, and provided diesel fuel to workers handling heavy equipment needed to repair a Wajima road blocked by a landslide. Members are also flying drones to assess the extent of damage. All work, except for work provided to the government, was provided free of charge. Many companies participated, including Aeronext, Next Delivery, ACSL, and Drone Operation.
The value of drone technology is clear. Perhaps a partnership between JUIDA and the 10th Division of the Ground Self-Defense Force could enable more effective deployment leveraging a variety of applications.
It is very important to note that individual pilots should not react without coordination from the organizations involved, as this risks interfering with ground or manned aircraft operations. Coordination must occur in advance to ensure that all parties have time to establish appropriate communication and operational protocols to effectively integrate response efforts.
The potential of drones in disaster response is enormous. We must continue to explore and expand these capabilities while ensuring they are used responsibly and effectively. The drone community stands ready to assist during a crisis, but coordination and collaboration between industry groups and first responder organizations is key to maximizing impact. This is a critical moment for the drone industry, as the technology is ready to scale commercially. The challenge now is to harness this potential and ensure it is fully utilized to serve communities in need. The “drone army,” as it was called in earlier disasters, is more than just a collection of machines and pilots. This is a force for good, ready to respond when disaster strikes.
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