Use of unmanned vehicles in search and rescue operations in forest fires: advantages and limitations observed in a field trial

摘要: Search and Rescue (SaR) in forest fires is usually applied a broad area, under foggy or smoky conditions. It mostly involves location of entrapped fire crew people between fronts, as well as, safely removing them away from the dangerous zone. Moreover, SaR evacuation rural residential areas due to heavy smoke impacts, front approaching. Experiences achieved during field trial, which unmanned aerial ground vehicles were deployed used simulated scenario, are presented. For planning running trial number parameters taken into consideration; logistics, safety plan, contingency different agencies cooperation, time frames ethical issues. Advantages using operations include capability monitoring operations, integration with manned resources, connectivity command control centers, coordination vehicles' platforms. Significant increase personnel possible through capabilities air quality search over areas. Current limitations limited heat resistance flying strong winds turbulence. Failure communications also rough terrain (autonomy limitations). Against all limitations, already exist that can be adapted successfully for fires.