Utilize drones to augment rescue mission success and save money.
Drones are constantly evolving, with manufacturers aiming to create technology that can optimize public safety operations, including natural disaster response. Manufacturers in the industry share a common goal: creating equipment that can provide real-time data, establish communication, and aid in search and rescue missions.
Despite the many benefits UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) offer, many organizations view drone fleets as expensive technology with high initial capital investment. This is particularly true for the natural disaster relief sector, in which budgets are limited to covering the high cost of assets and supplies for mission response. Because of those limitations, organizations are hesitant to accept new technology and fail to see the potential for long-term savings offered by drone fleet implementation into their operational strategy.
Early Adoption of Drone Technology
Implementation of UAV technology is still in the early adoption stage for many organizations across diverse industries. Because drones are an emerging technology, many enterprises have yet to understand the potential of utilizing drone fleets to optimize operations. While many organizations can leverage the advantages of drone programs, disaster response and relief is one sector that can benefit greatly from autonomous drone technology.
In natural disaster SAR missions, drones can be used to cover large areas of territory, utilize GPS for live tracking, and identify hazardous terrain. UAV technology is underutilized in various public safety organizations, but with the right combination of aircraft, payloads, and proper training, drone solutions can be implemented to augment the efficiency of natural disaster relief operations without sacrificing rescue dollars.
Utilize Drones to Maximize SAR Dollars
When disaster strikes, the biggest challenge rescue officials face is identifying victims before they become casualties—or becoming a casualty themselves. Other challenges include limited access to crucial, real-time information and the rising cost of disaster response missions. In 2021, the US alone faced over 20 weather or climate-related natural disasters; the total cost of the events is an estimated $145.0 billion USD, according to the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
SAR missions are becoming increasingly expensive—between the growing frequency of natural disasters, officer salaries, and the cost of supplies and equipment, it’s becoming more difficult for rescue organizations to operate efficiently on limited budgets. For example, helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft flights can cost up to $15,000 per mission. During an ongoing natural disaster, like floods and wildfires, a single mission can cost anywhere between $3-20 billion USD.
Drones are a cost-effective solution that can bring long-term results to search and rescue operations by reducing the need for helicopters or other aircraft for a mission. For the cost of one flight, a SAR department can implement a fleet of drones equipped with thermal cameras, GPS tracking systems, and two-way communication that can provide live information and victim tracking. With drone technology, natural disaster response teams can limit the deployment of rescue aircraft to victim retrieval, greatly reducing mission costs.
Utilizing drones for disaster response doesn’t mean cutting away relief budgets—it’s simply a cost-effective strategy to maximize SAR dollars. Every penny saved by implementing a drone program can be allocated to other areas of need, like training or volunteer benefits.
Pick the Right Drone for Your SAR Missions
Drone Nerds is an elite team of UAV experts dedicated to providing guidance on the best drone technology, programs, and software solutions for organizations across a variety of verticals, including natural disaster response.
We partner with local, state, federal, and independent search and rescue organizations to help them implement the best drone operation for their needs— and their budget.
Interested in learning more about drone solutions for your search and rescue missions? Contact a drone expert today.
