Local search and rescue teams and fire departments in Metro Vancouver are considering the use of unmanned aircraft systems to provide a cheaper — and infinitely safer — way of finding people in treacherous or difficult-to-access terrain.
“Along with a few other teams, we have been looking into the possible use of UAS for search and rescue operations,” said Del Doornbosch manager of the Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue team manager. He said most of the ground work and research is being done by Coquitlam Search and Rescue, which is working with North Guardian UAV Services.
Doornbosch said that while no Lower Mainland search and rescue team now uses UAS, “from our point of view, we can definitely see when and where we think they would be useful, but there needs to be more field testing.
“They’ll never replace guys on the ground or helicopters, but they put eyes in places that are difficult for us to get to,” added Doornbosch, noting that rules of use are fairly strict. “There’s a lot of limitations and for good reason.”
Michael Coyle, a manager with Coquitlam Search and Rescue, believes his team could be using UAS in search operations this summer.
“Emergency Management BC hasn’t decided yet if they’re a valid technique, but I think they’re being a little conservative about it,” he said. “They wouldn’t replace helicopters, but would be just another tool I could use. Often I can’t get a helicopter when it’s too cloudy or at night.
“Based on the last year of research, I definitely see these as a standard thing. We have deep gullies and often send people down, rappelling. This might be a way to send a camera down instead of a person to reduce the risk.
“If things go the way I think, in six months we could see a pilot project.”
Paul Baur, director of operations for North Guardian’s Vancouver office, said his company, which provides video and high-resolution aerial images using UAS, is also carrying out demonstration flights for fire departments across the Lower Mainland, “with the aim to provide full time aerial support for first responder crews as soon as 2015.”
Baur said that while working with fire departments and search and rescue teams is a big part of his company’s future, for now the UAS are largely used in Vancouver for photography and aerial film work.
“They’ve been used for a couple of years now, but it’s still in its infancy. Transport Canada is keeping an eye on how the commercial UAS direction goes.”
He said that work involving UAS is definitely growing, because it’s a lot cheaper than getting a helicopter up in the air.
His company has about 20 operational UAS for use, he added.
“They can be used for pretty much anything that requires aerial observation without a helicopter. And they can fly a lot lower than a helicopter in the legal manner and there’s a lot of reduction in noise.
“I can’t speak highly enough of them. They can compensate for wind gusts and keep a steady shot.”
Ellen Atkin works with Coastal Pacific Aerial Photography, which provides high-definition aerial photography via its unmanned “hexacopter” for everything from tourism and sporting events to movies, marketing, weddings and construction.
She agreed that most aerial photography involving UAS is used for development and real estate purposes, but noted that they are also used locally for such things as carrying banners at birthday parties.
“There’s very few players and a lot of hobbyists keen on getting into the market.”
Andrew Chapman, founder of Vancouver-based Skymount Unmanned Systems, which has been operating for about a year, said Skymount provides UAS services for such things as mapping, aerial photography and aerial inspection of industrial and commercial sites, especially those difficult to access like bridges or high buildings.
“Commercial use is growing,” said Chapman, noting that UAS use in television commercials and in the film industry is growing. “I have half a dozen (UAS). The furthest I’ve gone is the Okanagan (for) aerial photos of vineyards for commercial purposes. They use it for monitoring crops.”
Other uses, he added, are for commercial real estate and surveying for construction and industrial purposes. “It’s just the tip of the iceberg at the moment.”
However, Chapman noted that using UAS for a business requires permits and insurance.
“They can be dangerous. People need to know the air space above is regulated. They have sharp rotor blades and need to be treated with respect.
“But it’s still in its infancy in Vancouver. It’s brand new technology. They save a lot of time and money.”
The RCMP is also using unmanned aircraft systems, with four units in B.C. including the Lower Mainland, but their use is raising legal concerns including whether they could be used to collect evidence without a warrant.
Source: The Vancouver Sun