Drones Credited With Life-Saving Rescues in Northern Ontario

 

Scott Grant, the chief of the Moosonee Volunteer Fire Department, says a $46,000 investment has already saved two lives in the last week alone.

A DJI 30 Matrice thermal drone, purchased by the department just over a year ago, has already flown to more than a dozen incidents in the region, including finding a man lost in the bush on Wednesday night.  

And on Sunday night volunteer firefighters located a woman  – already showing signs of hypothermia – trapped on an ice chunk in the Moose River. 

The dramatic rescue began with a call to 9-1-1 and local firefighters about 9:30 p.m.

"There's a woman, she's out there screaming on the ice," Grant said. "Obviously she seems lost and she's quite far out there." 

A couple of weeks earlier, the ice had begun its imminent, annual breakup, and several patches of open water were visible.

Grant said he contacted his drone team, who met him by the shore of the river. The sun had set, and crew's flashlights became nearly useless in trying to find the woman on the river. Grant spoke to the lady using a bullhorn, encouraging her to remain calm while teams planned a route across the treacherous ice.

"I'm sure it's quite terrifying being out there, especially when it's getting dark out," Grant said. "We could barely make her out at that point. And we can't send crews out on an ice surface without knowing the location of where they're going."

Out of fear or panic, the lady also began wandering across the ice floe, Grant said, making it difficult to pin her exact location down. It also put her in danger of plunging into the icy water.

While cold-water rescue teams and firefighters prepared on shore, Grant deployed the drone team. 

"We ended up locating her approximately 600 meters from shore," Grant said, adding that the drone's thermal camera was able to locate her in the dark, "locking on" her location.

"Once we had her location, we ordered the drone to hover directly over top of the individual. So even though we could not see her, we knew exactly where she was."

Rescue teams then were able to navigate to the point, set the woman in an inflatable vessel, and pull her back to shore.

The entire operation, he said, took about 40-45 minutes, in a situation where every minute counts.

Once on shore, Grant said, the woman was taken to a local health clinic with signs of hypothermia. She has since been "feeling better," Grant said, and is resting at home.

The Drone in Action

Grant says the drone represents a "fantastic opportunity" for search and rescue operations.

"Even if we know where the individual is, let's say, on the ice," Grant said. "We can use that drone and put it up in the air and get a good 360 degree view of what we're going into."

"It definitely gives us a lot more confidence to be able to know exactly what we're getting into or give us a better idea of what we're entering," Grant said. "It gives us a really good ability to plan further a few steps ahead of time."

The drone allows for a full aerial survey of the area, saving hours of work for rescue teams, who typically will search an area by arranging themselves and covering ground in a grid-pattern.

"It really also helps ensure that no area gets missed," he said. "No area gets passed over."

The Moosonee Volunteer Fire Department joins a list of emergency services using drone technology to save lives, or in some cases, investigate crimes.

In 2021, SafeSight Exploration announced they had developed a new drone specifically adapted to operate in underground mine rescue situations, where debris and smoke can obstruct rescuers.

Ted Hanley, vice-president of Ontario Mine Rescue, said a rescue scenario underground presents a more challenging environment in which to operate a drone, because there are many unknowns, and smoke, fire and debris can impede their sensors.

"The UAV [drone] or any robotic technology that's unmanned, being able to inspect an area during an emergency is potentially bringing us back that missing percentage of information that can allow us to make a safe decision on whether to send or not send rescuers into an area," Henley said.

Shared from CBC.CA

Friendship Fire Company Diving-Rescue Unit of Phoenixville, PA Launches Two New Search & Rescue Drones

 

Always great to see a fire department utilize drones with their value as another tool in the toolbox for search and rescue in a water or marine environment.

Phoenixville, PA - April 17th, 2023 - In March 2023, Friendship Fire Company Diving-Rescue Unit, Chester County, PA Station 77, a 501c3 non-profit, based in Phoenixville PA, received and will be placing into service a weather resistant DJI Matrice 30t drone with thermal capabilities and a waterproof SwellPro Splash Drone 4 with lifting capabilities.

DJI’s M30t provides rapid deployment and is specifically designed for search and rescue operations. With an incredible list of SAR-ready features including a thermal imaging camera to see heat signatures night and day, three optical cameras with up to 200x zoom, a 7000 lumens CZI GL60 spotlight, laser rangefinder, 2 operators (one pilot, one camera), and the ability to pinpoint GPS locations & relay them to ground teams, the M30t is ready for search & rescue, overwatch, and rapid mapping operations.

SwellPro’s Splash Drone 4 offers a unique combination of capabilities.  Pairing a payload deployment and lifting ability with being completely waterproof allows operators to fly a personal flotation device or radios to stranded victims, assist in setting up a cross-water static line, and provide overwatch with the 1080p low light camera & spotlight. This drone also has the ability to land and take off from water.

The acquisition of these drones was made possible by generous donations and assistance from and purchased through Influential Drones located in Marlton, NJ.

These new drones bring the total UAS Fleet for Friendship Diving-Rescue Unit to 7. The team's other UAVs include the SwellPro Splash Drone 3 and 3+, DJI Phantom 4 Pro, Mavic Pro, and an Autel EVO II Dual (thermal).

“The UAV project was conceived and started around January of 2019 after an unfortunate event that could not be prevented despite the numerous fire and water rescue units' specialized Chester, Montgomery, and Berks County. Its growth is primarily funded through grants and donations. Our growing team of 7 drones (2 donated, 5 purchased, including three through grants) and 14 pilots are able to conduct search and rescue operations on land and water, provide disaster response assistance, assist with resource deployment on large fires and hazmat operations.”

“Our team's unique capabilities were utilized on another complex rescue requiring 8 different rescue companies and over 3 hours of work during Hurricane Ida,” Gingrasso continued. “The conditions prevented rescue boat deployment to evacuate the rescue swimmer and victim from a stranded car on a flooded road. We were forced to lower equipment, including a small boat, and personnel several hundred feet down a steep embankment to effect the rescue. The boat was ferried to the car and back with the victim and rescue swimmer. The hypothermic victim, rescue personnel, and equipment were then raised up the embankment.” A drone from Friendship was deployed during this incident and provided lighting and overwatch. "Saying stuff is one thing, seeing it is something else. We got lucky that they and the Phoenixville Fire Department were available. This was a critical element in managing the scene and assisted the Incident Commander in having a better understanding of real-time conditions,” Berwyn Fire Company Chief at the time, Eamon Brazunas said.

Friendship Fire Company Diving-Rescue Unit was founded in 1952 as part of Friendship Fire Co #2 to serve the community and surrounding areas by providing water rescue and underwater recovery after 2 drownings occurred at a local dam. They have grown through the years and now specialize in search, water rescue, underwater rescue and recovery, ice rescue, and evidence recovery. Consisting of an all-volunteer team of over 30 adults and young people supporting the surrounding communities and any law enforcement, fire department, or public entity that requests their unique skills. They are the only underwater unit for Chester County and regularly assist other units in Montgomery and Berks Counties. 

Drones for Water Search and Rescue

 

The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or “drones” for a wide variety of operations and businesses has been dramatically increasing both nationally and internationally.  The drone regulatory environment in the United States continues to evolve. New drone capabilities and more effective ways to use these capabilities are constantly being developed and implemented. Drones have quickly become the most widely used tool for many industries. From Police and Fire Departments to agriculture and energy operations, drones have become essential to boosting safety and productivity.

How does this important capability improve the SAR planner’s ability to search for persons in distress? Which drone is appropriate and most effective for a search based on the circumstances of the case? How does the SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC)/Incident Commander (IC) gain approval to use drones for a particular SAR operation? These are challenging questions that must be answered before contemplating the use of UAS in a particular SAR mission.

SAR Coordinators (SCs), SMCs/ICs, State, Tribal, Territorial/Insular Area, local SAR authorities, and volunteers interested in using UAS for SAR will also find important information and guidance in this Addendum in the development, management, and operation of their UAS programs.

What About Drones for Water Search and Rescue

Over the past few years, there has been an increasing interest in using Drones in support of water search and rescue.  Regardless of the type of water from flood, river, swiftwater, coastal, ocean, surf or ice, a drone can be another valuable tool in your toolbox to effectively, efficiently and most important of all safely assist with the conduct water search and rescue operations.

However, there is little evidence that they are used in a structured and strategic manner to best effect. An effective response is essential if lives are to be saved and suffering alleviated.

"In order to realize the true value of a drone’s capabilities in water search and rescue, Drone Pilots and SAR authorities from the Incident Commander (IC) on down need to gain experience by employing drones on actual SAR operations and in training.  Only then will you realize that drones provide another tool in the toolbox for the Incident Commanders that can and will prove invaluable."

A search and rescue drone used by emergency services, such as police officers, firefighters or volunteer rescue teams, is ideal for searching over vast areas for missing persons in need of rescue and in any environment.  Search times can be significantly reduced while limiting potential risk to the party being rescued as well as rescuers. There are many options and benefits to using drones for water search and rescue.

With a lifetime in all water environments to include coastal, ocean, surf, swiftwater, flood and ice rescue, safety, and over ten years in drone operations for public safety. SAS Water Safety and EMMU Aerial’s instructors can help your agency evaluate how drones can be used in the preparation for, and response to all water search and rescue emergencies.  We can also provide assistance with all your training requirements and develops standard operating procedures (SOP) for their deployment before, during and after an event.

The Drones for Water Search and Rescue Course was developed and designed to be taught in a three day format with 1 day classroom and 2 days situational field / flight training, where students already have a FAA Part 107 with basic flight knowledge and experience in land search and rescue. Students will gain knowledge and practical experience in hydrology and moving water dynamics, pre-planning, size-up, site control, scene management, drone platforms and payloads, aerial search techniques, rescue mission support, thermal imaging, night operations and lost person behavior. The course will enable the students to identify clearly their own limitations as well as those of the equipment, so that they will be able to utilize drones more safely and effectively.

Contact SAS Water Safety or EMMU Aerial today for more information on integrating drones into water search and rescue.

Butte County SAR uses new drone to help rescue man in flood waters

 

BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - The Butte County Search and Rescue (SAR) team rescued a driver stuck in flood waters on Wednesday.

SAR responded to River Road east of Chico while it was closed.

The driver was stranded in an area surrounded by water that was not easily accessible by vehicle. 

The SAR team had to park about a mile away and used a drone to locate the man before sending people on a raft to bring the man to safety.

SAR said the drone it used came from a grant it received after approval from the North Valley Community Foundation nearly three weeks ago.

The drone has thermal capabilities, allowing SAR to use it at night, if necessary.

Shared from; Action News Now

Public Safety and Law Enforcement Toolkit

 

This toolkit is designed to assist law enforcement and public safety entities in operating and handling situations involving drones or UAS.

• Download and print our Law Enforcement Pocket Card (PDF)
• Download our Drones in Public Safety: A Guide to Starting Operations (PDF)
• State and Local Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PDF)
• Letter to COA Holders – Statutory Requirement to Register UAS
  (November 5, 2014) (PDF)
• First Responder Tactical Beyond Visual Line of Sight (TBVLOS) 91.113 Waiver Guide (PDF)

Webinar: Drone Safety: It's the Law
The use of drones in our nation's airspace is rapidly increasing, which raises both opportunities and challenges for public safety and government officials. Learn more about how your authority allows you to take action and respond to unauthorized or unsafe drone operations. Watch the webinar.

Advisory Circular (AC) 00-1.1B
Government or government-contracted aircraft operations must obtain COA from the FAA prior to operations.
Advisory Circular 00-1.1B, Public Aircraft Operations

Small UAS Rule Part 107
This rule contains safety regulations for drones weighing less than 55 pounds.
Summary of the Part 107 Rule (PDF)
Fly under the Small UAS Rule
Advisory Circular 107-2 (PDF)

The Exception for Recreational Flyers
People who fly their drone, UAS, or model aircraft for fun are considered recreational flyers.
Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations
Authorization for limited recreational operations as described in section 44809 (PDF)
Advisory Circular 91-57B – Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft

Mobile Apps
The FAA's B4UFly App assists users in determining where they can and can't fly. Law enforcement and public safety agencies can use it to determine where they can operate drones or whether drone operations are authorized in a specific location or not.

Public Safety Small Drone Playbook

Drones are being safely integrated into our national airspace for recreational, commercial, and public safety uses. However, unauthorized operations can cause potential hazards to people and property both in the air and on the ground. Our Public Safety Small Drone Playbook is intended to be used as an informational resource for public safety officials conducting investigations regarding drones. The Playbook can assist in determining the difference between authorized and non-authorized drone operations and what potential actions public safety might take.

• Drone Response Playbook for Public Safety (PDF)
• Supplement to the Drone Response Playbook for Public Safety

First, in the Nation – Pearland PD expands DFR operations to include BVLOS without Visual Observers

 

Pearland Police Department has been awarded a certificate of authorization (COA) to operate its drone as first responder (DFR) program beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operation, eliminating the need for human visual observers (VOs). This was achieved using Iris Automation’s Casia G ground-based air surveillance system. 

Read More; SUAS News

What Role Can Drones Play For Flood Rescue?

 From, Fly Dragon

In flood disasters, drones have the advantage of being fast, accurate, and all-weather. Play a huge role in flood rescue. The drone can transmit high-definition pictures and videos of the disaster scene back to the command center. If a person is trapped, the drone can carry out search and positioning by carrying rescue equipment, and with equipment with night vision function, it can achieve all-weather rescue, and can also accurately deliver materials to the trapped person.

 

Air patrol

The UAV is equipped with ultra-clear pan-tilt cameras and infrared thermal imaging cameras for target monitoring, early warning and tracking in all weather and in all climates, and can realize real-time solution and positioning of long-distance targets and coordinates, and can quickly travel through mountainous areas, rivers, etc. In serious situations where personnel are difficult to enter and exit, the on-site audio, video and related data information will be quickly transmitted to the flood control command center in conjunction with the satellite communication system to track the development of the incident for the flood control command center to make judgments and decisions.

Collaborative search and rescue

Drones are not limited by ground and underwater obstacles, reducing the risk of distress in the search for a dinghy. In rescue, for places where manpower cannot immediately reach the rescue, drones can be used to carry life-saving equipment or disaster relief materials for visual delivery, and images can be sent back to the headquarters in real time to achieve accurate emergency rescue materials or rescue equipment. Drop in to gain time for the trapped people to wait for rescue. In the process of search and rescue calls, once trapped people are found, they can be guided and appeased through the microphone, so as to improve the survival belief of the trapped people, guide them to make correct actions to cooperate with the rescue, and improve the success rate and efficiency of rescue. If other emergencies are found, the ground can also be warned.

Emergency lighting

When using drones to search and rescue trapped people at night, searchlights can also be used to guide rescuers and provide auxiliary lighting, which is not limited by terrain and provides mobile light sources; when dangers such as pipe swells and embankments are found at night, temporary construction of transmission lines Low efficiency, special areas are limited by terrain, and ground light sources are limited. UAVs can be used to drone lighting equipment to provide high-altitude emergency light sources for rescue workers.

Throw goods

When the rescue team cannot reach the position of the trapped person immediately for rescue, use drone Lifebuoy delivery rope dropping system to quickly and accurately drop the rescue materials into the hands of the trapped person, improve the survival probability of the trapped person, and strive for rescue. more time.