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Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions

Georgiou, Harris

Publisher
Zenodo
DOI
10.5281/zenodo.17500696
Repository
zenodo.org
Language
en

Abstract

Abstract In Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, the First Responders (FR) are called upon to act in a wide range of environments, conditions and limitations, associated to both external and internal factors. Weather, location, access, infrastructure, travel time, are only some of these external factors, while team’s readiness level, organization, skill level and experience, toolkits available, are some of the most important internal factors. For Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) the most critical factor, besides FR safety, is speed. Every USAR mission is an effort against time, beginning as a speed race during the first few hours after the disaster event and gradually becoming a marathon run as the hotzone gets cleared in a more focused way. Lack of preparedness, coordination and poor perimeter monitoring is, as expected, a major factor in large-scale disasters. Specific differences in task prioritization and speed are evident between small-scale events like train accidents and large-scale events like devastating earthquakes, leading to corresponding changes in the deployment or even the planning phases of a SAR mission. Citizens and spontaneous volunteers are important assets often overlooked. The “last mile gap” and changes in First Aid / medical response are also crucial factors that emerge more evidently as the scale of the disaster increases. In the non-operational context, a few important guidelines and good practices can be proposed for SAR-related R&D projects. Specifically, several limitations and hindering factors in developing new technologies may work counter-productively, often very early on while in design or prototyping phases. These include very limited or no provision budget-wise for full IPR protection of the developed technologies, the low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) expectancy, limited focus to standardization and interoperability outcomes, as well as the inherently limited / highly specialized FR “market” for these products and tools. Based on the experience from DRS cluster projects of EU Horizon H2020 in recent years, important guidelines and good practices can be formulated in relation to expectation management for both FRs and technical partners, early end-user involvement in all the phase and extensive field trials throughout the projects’ lifetime.

Full text

Hellenic Rescue Team of Attica (HRTA) Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions Harris Georgiou (MSc,PhD), USAR & Water element, HRTA EU Forum Session: “The European safety & security policy, research and transfer landscape Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 2 Hellenic Rescue Team of Attica – H.R.T.A • Collaborative training, synergies and participation in real SAR field deployments. •Emergency response, first-responders, safety, SAR, humanitarian aid, training. •Operational sectors (SAR): Mountain Rescue, Water rescue, Mass Disaster Rescue & Relief. LAND SAR: Wilderness, non-urban (mountain, canyon/river, forest) WATER SAR: Surface, underwater, shore (sea, large river, lake) URBAN SAR: disaster response & relief (earthquake, flood, fire, accidents) Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 3 Harris Georgiou (MSc, PhD) – https://github.com/xgeorgio/info •R&D: Associate post-doc researcher and lecturer with the University Athens (NKUA) and University of Piraeus (UniPi) •Consultant in Medical Imaging, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Signal Processing, Process Optimization, Dynamic Systems, Complexity & Emergent A.I., Game Theory •HRTA member since 2009, LEAR / scientific advisor •HRTA field operator (USAR, scuba diver) •Wilderness first aid, paediatric (child/infant) •Humanitarian aid & disaster relief in Ghana, Lesvos, Piraeus •Support of unaccomp. minors, teacher in community schools •Streetwork training, psychological first aid & victim support •2+4 books, 200+ scientific papers/articles (and 6 marathons) In pressing, dynamic and dangerous environments, every asset the FRs have at their disposal is invaluable in terms of enhancing any of the three main components of the deployment: •The FR team: Personnel (safety, situational awareness, efficiency, endurance, cooperation, etc) and team assets (drones, cameras, sensors, communication devices). •The victims: Detection (sensing), triage (informed decisions), extrication (safety, speed). •The operations: Situational awareness (top-level), worksite triage (prioritization), asset dispatching (e.g. UxVs, medical teams), communications (horizontal/HQ, vertical/teams), logistics, infrastructure (camp), medium/long-term mission planning. FR mission planning Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 4 FR deployment priorities For the FR teams, three main priorities are of utmost importance: •Safety: Ensure individual and team-level risk mitigation regarding possible hazards.  Enhance situational awareness via sensing modalities. •Speed: Have a clear and detailed understanding of the “hotzone”.  Use UxVs, but also information fusion, assessment, AI-assisted C&C. •Sensing: Mitigate exposure of FRs to hazards and risks within the “hotzone”.  Employ remote sensing capabilities (e.g. NV, IR/thermal, dangerous chemicals, etc). Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 5 Evaluation of new technologies in SAR operations 1. What does it bring to the FR team in the field as added value in operational level? 2. What are its benefits and constraints in the tactical / technical level? 3. How does it relate to existing practices and similar assets already in use? 4. What is the integration and training plan in order to be fully operational? 5. What is the purchase and maintenance cost for the team? Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 6 Earthquake in Turkiye Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 7 Earthquake in Turkiye Source: British Geological Survey, UK Source: INSARAG #1 (7.8R) #2 (7.7R) Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 8 9 Earthquake in Turkiye Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 9 16 Flash floods in Thessaly (Greece) Rapid response initially to avoid immediate casualties from floods. Next 4+ days dedicated to extrication, provisions, medical assistance. Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 16 17 Flash floods in Thessaly (Greece) Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 17 Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 18 Flash floods in Thessaly (Greece) Operational and Mission-Specific Issues identified Lack of Coordination and Perimeter Monitoring (see: Turkiye). Operational Shifts in Focus and Use of Assets (e.g. use of IR/NV/UAV). Citizens as Sensing Resources (see: “Citizen Observatories”). Process Improvement via Post-Mission Assessment (e.g. SPI in s/w). Spontaneous Volunteers (especially after the main event). The “Last Mile Gap” (provisions, access, information). Changes in First Aid Operations (e.g. need for field hospitals). Areas of Need for New SAR Technologies. → From INSARAG AAA&R, Turkiye-Syria earthquake: Flexible response (e.g. floods), use of telemedicine, drones, sensors, ... Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 19 Drone flight through confined spaces @ ATC USAR training site, HRTA – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCSie00bmh0 Areas of Need for New SAR Technologies Source: INSARAG (AAA&R, TurkiyeSyria earthquake) Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 21 What is needed: Remote Sensing Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 22 Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 23 What is needed: Remote Sensing 24 What is needed: Team localization & hazard mapping Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 24 What is needed: Team localization & hazard mapping Technological gaps and advancements in Search and Rescue operations: From R&D to real-world missions (HRTA, Greece) 25