ASSESSING THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPROVING RESCUE OPERATIONS WITH THE USE OF UAVS. CASE STUDIES FROM WIELKOPOLSKIE PROVINCE

Abstract

The growing intensity of fire hazards is increasing the need for incorporating aerial vehicles including unmanned aerial vehicles, which are now becoming a valuable tool in the hands ofvarious state bodies and institutions, including the State Fire Service (SFS) in Poland, in supportingactivities aimed at saving human life, health or property. The article presents the characteristicsand purpose of the SFS and the range of tasks performed by it, as well as key problems in thisarea. Examples of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in firefighting activities werealso presented. It was pointed out that improving the ability of SFS to carry out tasks should bea priority, especially in an era of cyclical threats arising from human activity or environmentalforces, and the continued growth of technology means that unmanned aerial vehicles can provideincreasing support. The purpose of the article was to present the scale and level of a fire threat andto indicate the potential of UAVs in combating it. The research was conducted on the exampleof a selected region. The article uses the case study method: 3 examples are presented to supportrescue operations using unmanned aerial vehicles. Descriptions of cases are supplemented byoperational conclusions and recommendations. It was assumed (research hypothesis) that thelarge-scale use of unmanned systems for search and rescue operations in the SFS would not onlyaffect the speed and effectiveness of the response, but also enhance the level of safety of the officersinvolved. The authors also emphasise the need of creating a new unit in the structures of theState Fire Service, which would deal exclusively with the implementation of tasks related to theprocessing, management, analysis and placement on the map of the necessary data on the hazards.This would make preventive measures more effective.e