Just Accepted
This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.
Optimizing Disaster Response: Opportunities and Challenges with Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Technology in Response to the 2020 Labor Day wildfires in Oregon
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 analyzes 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 analyzes 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 authorization complexities. Conclusions: The study concludes with the need for updated infrastructure standards, streamlined policies, and better coordination between technological advancements and political processes, emphasizing 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.
WF23089 Accepted 06 July 2024
© CSIRO 2024
