Optimising disaster response: opportunities and challenges with Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) technology in response to the 2020 Labour Day wildfires in Oregon, USA

Dae Kun Kang; Erica Fischer; Michael J. Olsen; Julie A. Adams; Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne

doi:10.1071/WF23089

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Previous Next Contents Vol 33(8)

Optimising disaster response: opportunities and challenges with Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) technology in response to the 2020 Labour Day wildfires in Oregon, USA

Dae Kun Kang ^A ^* , Erica Fischer ^A , Michael J. Olsen ^A , Julie A. Adams ^B and Jarlath O’Neil-Dunne ^C

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, USA. Email: erica.fischer@oregonstate.edu, michael.olsen@oregonstate.edu

^B Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute, Oregon State University, USA. Email: julie.a.adams@oregonstate.edu

^C Spatial Analysis Lab, University of Vermont, USA. Email: Jarlath.ONeil-Dunne@uvm.edu

^* Correspondence to: kangdae@oregonstate.edu

International Journal of Wildland Fire 33, WF23089 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF23089

Submitted: 7 November 2023 Accepted: 6 July 2024 Published: 30 July 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of IAWF. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY).

Abstract

Background

The expanding use of Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) technology in disaster response shows its immense potential to enhance emergency management. However, there is limited documentation on the challenges and data management procedures related to UAS operation.

Aims

This manuscript documents and analyses the operational, technical, political, and social challenges encountered during the deployment of UAS, providing insights into the complexities of using these technologies in disaster situations.

Methods

This manuscript documents and analyses the operational, technical, political, and social challenges encountered during the deployment of UAS, providing insights into the complexities of using these technologies in disaster situations.

Key results

UAS technology plays a significant role in search and rescue, reconnaissance, mapping, and damage assessment, alongside notable challenges such as extreme flying conditions, data processing difficulties, and airspace authorisation complexities.

Conclusions

The study concludes with the need for updated infrastructure standards, streamlined policies, and better coordination between technological advancements and political processes, emphasising the necessity for reform to enhance disaster response capabilities.

Implications

The findings of this study inform future guidelines for the effective and safe use of UAS in disaster situations, advocating for a bridge between state-of-the-art UAS research and its practical application in emergency response.

Keywords: disaster response, drone, hazards, Labour Day fire, Oregon, UAS, UAV, Uncrewed Aircraft System, wildfire.

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