MAKATI DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE

RESEARCH AND PLANNING DIVISION

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY – RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION
Email Address: ictrdi.makatidrrm@gmail.com

Use of Drones in Disaster Response

INSIGHTS/RECOMMENDATIONS:

Drones are rapidly becoming the most extensively used equipment in a variety of industries.
Drones have proven indispensable in increasing safety and production, from police and fire
departments to farming cooperatives. Disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and
rehabilitation in the event of a disaster. These are the foundations of disaster response.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones have made significant advances and improvements
in disaster response.
Drones can also be used in a variety of ways, including:
 Pre-DRR (surveying and mapping risk profiling and identification)
 DRR (risk mitigation and disaster preparedness).
However, when a calamity is imminent, the immediate disaster reaction' 'activities' become
significantly more powerful. Drones not only improve response time but also increase the
effectiveness of these actions.
Listed below are some of the drone uses and their implications for disaster relief.
1. DRONE-IMPROVED EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIME

It all comes down to reaction or response time. This crisis response time can be further divided
into detection, analysis, and action.

 Discovery - Drone-led surveillance aids in the detection of anomalies or changes on

time. These drones can change their flight direction in the middle of the trip to
investigate a suspicious occurrence. This greatly shortens the time it takes to spot a
potential or obvious calamity.
 Drone-powered reconnaissance provides a first-hand analysis of the disaster site. You
can learn more about this later.
 Drones stimulate an immediate on-ground response, which is significantly faster than
manual detection, analysis, and action.
 Drones can save disaster response time. This time helps to limit the scope of a potential
calamity. Above all, it aids in the saving of lives.
 MAKATI DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE
RESEARCH AND PLANNING DIVISION
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY – RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION
Email Address: ictrdi.makatidrrm@gmail.com
2. DRONE-ENABLED SITUATIONAL AWARENESS – PLANNING AND
STRATEGY

Consider a drone flying over an event site, such as a fire. The drone immediately conducts a
high-resolution visual/thermal assessment, which is sent back to the ground team in real-time.
The firefighters would know exactly how to plan their activities to make the best use of their
resources (water, equipment, personnel, etc.) and achieve the intended outcome. Drones assist
in quickly scouting the entire region, mapping out all potential bottlenecks, flare locations, exits,
blind spots, and so forth. There are no second chances to make the proper decision. Drones aid
disaster teams make the right decision at the right time.

3. DRONE-LED SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR)

Now to the actual rescue part of disaster response. This is where drones have the most direct
impact. The National Disaster Relief Force has always relied on Idea Forge (NDRF). These drones
have been critical in numerous Search and Rescue operations.
The drones use high-resolution visual and thermal imaging to provide a clear picture of
survivors, even if they are hidden beneath rubble or in inaccessible niches. The drones quickly
traverse numerous acres, providing a thorough view of the area. This assists the on-the-ground
crew with understanding all access points and the way to the survivors. It also assists them in
understanding the current circumstances, such as communication or transportation disruption.

4. POST-DISASTER
Drones for disaster response can also be used to survey the damage following a natural
catastrophe or catastrophic event. Drones launched into the sky acquire video feeds and
images to aid with damage assessment. This data collected by the drone can be used to detect
burn-scar impacts, which can aid in the prevention of future calamities such as flash flooding or
landslides caused by the loss of trees and plants.
Drones equipped with communication antennae can assist in restoring communications for first
responders following the loss of traditional lines of contact. When communication links are
down, it is more difficult to provide people with water, food, medical supplies, and other
necessities. Because drones may get to the scene of an emergency more quickly, they may be
employed in the delivery of life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and emergency
medication in the future.
The industry is attempting to speed the innovation process that can navigate independently by
utilizing 5G, edge computes, and AI through research and collaborative activities. Drones will
 MAKATI DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE
RESEARCH AND PLANNING DIVISION
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY – RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION
Email Address: ictrdi.makatidrrm@gmail.com

soon be able to handle massive amounts of data in near real-time in the field, allowing
powerful analytical and artificial intelligence algorithms to assist mission-critical services and
improve decision making.