From entertainment to surveillance, drones boast a multitude of applications. But one of the most useful is in the public safety sector. Manned at a distance, drones can go where people can’t to survey an unfolding emergency or disaster scene. They can make drops of valuable devices, food, or medicine, and can monitor the movements of dangerous criminals. Here’s a closer look at some of the latest uses of drones in public safety.
Benefits of drones in public safety
Drones are a cost-effective alternative to costly helicopters. Powered by batteries, lightweight drones can access remote areas quickly to survey a situation and report back to its monitor. Today’s drones are equipped with sensors and infrared cameras to provide both visual feedback as well as other valuable data. They can construct emergency equipment or create detailed maps of terrain. These devices can be built to withstand extreme temperatures, and go where humans cannot such as the thick of a forest fire to survey the damage. Drones may not be able to physically rescue stranded people, but they can drop supplies. In recent floods in Texas, drones were used in such a way, to help supply flotation devices to stranded citizens.
Technology’s place in search and rescue
It’s not just drones that are used in emergency situations. If a natural disaster or other emergency situation is unfolding, technology can now be used to fill in the gaps. Most first responders now use apps and alert systems to communicate with one another and gain real-time information in swiftly unfolding situations. From the Red Cross to FEMA, most agencies now have their own mobile apps.
There’s no time to lose in a true emergency, so any data gleaned from sensor-equipped drones can be vital. When networks are down and responders need to communicate, Nokia Networks public safety equipment is another example of technology’s uses. They offer a portable network-in-a-box that can power safety apps and bolster communication if the usual networks are down. Drones are an important part of this puzzle as well.
Overcoming regulation concerns
Because drones can be used for so many different types of applications, many people still have an aversion to them. Often used for surveillance, there is the concern that a drone hovering overhead could be manned by an unsavoury organization. Many law enforcement agencies wish to use drones in their rescue organizations, whether it’s searching for missing persons or surveying traffic accidents, but there is still public mistrust to overcome. There’s the idea of “big brother” watching the public that many are concerned about.
Yet these attitudes seem to be changing, slowly but surely. In a 2013 poll by the Institute for Homeland Security Solutions, 88% of responders supported using drones in search and rescue operations, while 63% supported using drones to help fight crime. In the USA, the Federal Aviation Administration is working on new drone regulations, including a potential registration system for all drone operators. In the meantime these devices are a top tool for emergency responders to help keep the public safe.