Using UAS for Disaster Recovery Operations

INNOVATION IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - WEEK 23 Spotlight: Civil Air Patrol Few organizations embody the spirit of service and innovation in disaster response like the Civil Air Patrol, the all-volunteer auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. With 600+ aircraft, 3,200+ small UAS, and 70,000+ members nationwide (39,000+ involved in operations with qualifications), CAP has become a cornerstone of our nation’s aerial and geospatial disaster intelligence efforts. I first encountered CAP’s capabilities after the 2011 Joplin tornado. At the time, NOAA aircraft were en route from the East Coast, but CAP had already been airborne - tasked by the State of Missouri - and captured hundreds of damage photos by dawn. Those images, stored on thumb drives, revealed both the power and limitations of the workflow. Working with John Desmarais, then CAP’s Director of Operations, and Josh Keller (FEMA GIS), CAP developed a national system for uploading and distributing geotagged imagery. That investment changed everything. When Superstorm Sandy struck the following year, CAP collected over 150,000 aerial photos - the largest mission of its kind. FEMA integrated those images into its Individual Assistance damage assessment workflows, helping expedite $130 million in rental assistance to 44,000 survivors, achieving 99% accuracy in identifying impacted homes. Since then, CAP has become an essential partner for disaster operations. They’ve expanded into ground-based mobile imaging, adopted advanced aerial camera systems (like WaldoAir Corp. XCAM), and built one of the most distributed UAS programs in the nation - thanks in large part to Bruce Davis, who was instrumental in standing up that capability and remains deeply involved today. Under Scott Kaplan’s leadership, CAP also pioneered a crowdsourcing solution for virtual damage assessment. What began during Hurricane Ida - where 327 volunteers across 39 states analyzed nearly 200,000 structures - has grown into one of the world’s largest volunteer imagery analyst corps. Cadets, senior members, and retirees now classify damage using cloud-based tools and AI-assisted imagery, dramatically accelerating FEMA’s ability to deliver aid. Today, CAP’s aerial and geospatial programs form a seamless, multi-layered system: manned aircraft, drones, ground teams, and thousands of virtual analysts - collecting, sharing, and interpreting imagery within hours. Their data now supports FEMA, NOAA, NGA, and even AI research like MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s LADI dataset, which uses CAP imagery to train automated damage assessment models. It’s all about the team. CAP’s volunteers - pilots, technicians, cadets, and analysts - continue to redefine what’s possible in emergency management. A special thank you to John Desmarais, whose leadership transformed CAP’s operational capabilities, and to Scott Kaplan and Bruce Davis, whose innovation and dedication continue to shape CAP’s role as a national force multiplier in disaster response.

One of the biggest blind spots in advanced air mobility exists in the seams between different operational domains. We've made lots of progress on how drones communicate with each other and with traditional aviation. We're ready to do more now. Low-altitude operations happen directly above our surface transportation networks and the data connecting those two layers is largely missing. I've been working with the #Mcity and #Mair teams out of the University of Michigan to bridge that gap. We are exploring how networked #V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) platforms can distribute #surfacetransportation information into the UAS ecosystem. Specifically, we are looking to augment Traveler Information Messages (TIM) from their very mature Mcity environment and push that data into the low-altitude airspace in M-air. They are more than halfway there already. When a drone is operating beyond visual line of sight (#BVLOS) over a major corridor, surface-level situational awareness becomes critical intel. Knowing where #workzones are active, where traffic is rerouting, or where emergency responders are deployed on the ground changes the risk ratio for the airspace above it. When #hurricanes hit the coastline, emergency managers need to know which #evacuation corridors remain passable before they can safely route help, or even whether that's possible by land. Surface transportation data from flooded networks, compromised signals, and debris-blocked routes becomes critical intelligence informing drone operations assessing bridge integrity, tracking debris fields and flooding, or delivering critical medical relief. The situational awareness of a BVLOS flight overhead a collapsed evacuation route accelerates real-time decision-making, enabling a ground vehicle to reroute around a submerged intersection. Hurricane response depends on data that flows across both domains. Cross-sector integration is difficult for the low altitude operating environment. It requires getting automotive researchers, aviation regulators, and C-UAS developers to speak the same language. Extending situational awareness beyond traditional ground users is an important piece of how we secure the low-altitude operating environment. If you're already thinking about how your service can better serve your customers by broadening the situational awareness you offer, the University of Michigan has the safe, mature infrastructure to blend digital ground and air data in an operationally meaningful way. Much appreciation and kudos to Greg McGuire, Venkat Viswanathan, and Jim Lollar for leaning forward with the right vision: Airspace intelligence must include the ground it covers! #AAM #V2X #SmartCities #BVLOS #Transportation #HurricanePreparedness #EmergencyManagement #DisasterResponse

Drone-Assisted Rescue in Rimrock Highlights Growing Role of UAS in Emergency Response On February 24, 2025, San Bernardino County Fire (SBCoFD) crews leveraged drone technology to rescue a 15-year-old boy trapped in a rock crevice for over six hours in Rimrock, California. The operation, detailed in an official statement on X by SBCoFD, showcased the critical role unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can play in challenging wilderness extractions, raising questions about their broader adoption in emergency services. A Harrowing Fall and a High-Stakes Rescue The incident unfolded late Monday evening around 7:47 PM PST in the rugged terrain of Rimrock, a remote area 130 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The teen, climbing with his family, fell 30 feet (9.1 meters) into a narrow gap between two boulders, becoming wedged with his legs pinned against his chest. This position restricted his breathing, leading to hypoxia—a dangerous drop in oxygen levels—along with hypothermia and dehydration after hours of exposure. His family spent over six hours attempting to free him before calling 911 as darkness enveloped the boulder field. SBCoFD responders arrived to a scene complicated by nightfall and treacherous terrain. Traditional search-and-rescue methods would have been slow and risky, but the team deployed a drone equipped with high-intensity lights and live video capabilities. The UAS illuminated the site and provided real-time aerial footage to the incident commander, enabling precise coordination. Firefighters then used a technical rope system to extract the boy, a process that took nearly two hours. Video from the operation captures rescuers working under the drone’s light, with one noting the teen’s six-hour ordeal. Once freed, paramedics administered advanced life support on-site before transporting the boy via Morongo Basin Ambulance to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, roughly 60 miles southwest. Late February updates confirmed his recovery, underscoring the operation’s success despite his severe condition. Drones as a Game-Changer in Rescue Operations The Rimrock rescue highlights how drones enhance emergency response in ways traditional tools can’t match. The SBCoFD statement emphasized that live video feeds “helped ensure a safer and more efficient rescue effort,” a claim echoed by Captain Aaron Comstock and Firefighter Paramedic Ryan Wonders during a February 27 CBS2 interview, as shared by SBCoFFLocal935. The drone’s lighting addressed visibility issues, while its camera offered a vantage point unattainable by ground crews alone. This isn’t SBCoFD’s first foray into UAS technology. Earlier in 2025, the department piloted a Drones as First Responder (DFR) program for urban fire detection, a concept gaining traction nationwide. The Rimrock operation, however, demonstrates drones’ versatility in wilderness settings—a critical advantage in San Bernardino County, which spans over 20,000 square miles, including the vast...

Using Drones to Deliver Aid in Emergency Services Purpose Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly called drones, have become essential tools for disaster response and recovery. They provide real-time data, improve situational awareness, and enable the rapid delivery of life-saving aid when traditional access is blocked. ⸻ Key Applications 1. Damage Assessment • Drones capture high-resolution imagery and thermal data immediately after hurricanes, floods, or wildfires. • Generated 2D and 3D “drawings” (maps, models) help identify damaged infrastructure, impassable roads, and safe staging zones. • Reduces the need for risky ground assessments. 2. Aid Delivery • UAS can transport small payloads such as medical kits, blood, AEDs, water, and food. • Ideal for isolated or flooded areas unreachable by ground vehicles. • Demonstrated by agencies and programs like Zipline, Matternet, and DJI FlyCart 30. 3. Search and Rescue (SAR) • Equipped with thermal and zoom cameras to locate missing or injured persons. • Can drop survival gear—life jackets, radios, or first-aid kits—while teams move in. 4. Mapping and Planning • Drone-generated orthomosaics provide accurate, up-to-date maps for incident command, FEMA, and EOC operations. • Supports planning of evacuation routes, shelter locations, and supply distribution points. 5. Communication Support • Drones can deploy temporary cellular or Wi-Fi relays to restore communication networks during outages. ⸻ Benefits • Faster response and delivery times • Reduced risk to personnel • Real-time intelligence for decision-makers • Cost-effective and repeatable operations ⸻ Example Missions • Hurricane Helene, NC (2024): Drones mapped flood zones and guided swift-water rescues. • Florida Keys (2025 pilot project): Drones proposed for emergency-supply delivery across island chains. ⸻ Contact Blue Ridge Mountain Drones, LLC Wayne Bailey, Chief Pilot | FAA Part 107 Instructor 📧 blueridgemountaindrones@gmail.com | 🌐 https://lnkd.in/e8psCGuK

How can you use drone mapping data for DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RESPONSE? Drone data can offer valuable insights and information at every stage of a disaster, from mitigation and preparedness to disaster response and recovery. There are four main phases of disaster management. Here’s how drone data can be used at every phase of the process: Phase #1: Disaster Mitigation Before a disaster occurs, drones can collect imagery of an area that is likely to experience a disaster to document its baseline state and collect information about topography and potential infrastructure gaps. For example, drone imagery can identify areas likely to experience flooding or landslides. Phase #2: Disaster Preparedness With this information, communities can move forward with decisions about how to prepare for a potential disaster. This can mean things like evacuating flood-prone areas, repairing critical infrastructure, or stocking up on supplies. Phase #3: Disaster Response While responding to a disaster, drones can scope the scene, assess risks and hazards, and create models of the affected area. Phase #4: Disaster Recovery Finally, to promote an affected area’s recovery, drone footage can be used for insurance claims, helping communities assess damage and get back on their feet and planning for reconstruction efforts. Last December, Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit the northeastern Australian coast. Before the cyclone made landfall, GeoNadir’s Co-founder,  Dr Karen Joyce, collected drone data for a number of critical locations in her local community. She documented her workflow to demonstrate how drones can be used for disaster readiness. Then, she went back and mapped the same locations after the cyclone hit to show how drones can be used to assess change over time. Karen put together two amazing webinars, walking viewers step-by-step through both of these critical workflows. Check out the webinars here: → Drone Mapping for Disaster Readiness: https://lnkd.in/eBdnzXQt → Drone Mapping to Assess Change: https://lnkd.in/eq-74V2U Interested in leveraging drone mapping? GeoNadir is offering three months free if you sign up for one of their paid annual plans. Sign-up for a free trial here: https://lnkd.in/eb-k7inc

Here's another article from the ecoresolve team focusing on disaster risk reduction through remote sensing. Determining when, where and which routes are optimal for deploying boats is critical during flood events, especially for coastal communities. This aligns closely with our work on blue carbon and coastal ecosystem conservation initiatives, which leverage mangroves as a nature-based solution for coastal protection during flood events. -- #18 of 2024: UAVs as a Tool for Optimizing Boat-Supported Flood Evacuation Operations -- Key highlights from our work underscore how UAVs enhance traditional flood evacuation efforts, while also pointing to areas for improvement in technology and policy integration. 1. Real-Time Data Collection and Aerial Monitoring - UAVs can provide immediate, real-time data on flood conditions, helping to assess affected areas quickly. This allows rescue teams to adapt their strategies based on current flood patterns and environmental conditions. 2. Optimal Route Planning for Boats - By mapping flood zones from above, UAVs can identify the safest and fastest routes for rescue boats, reducing response times and increasing the efficiency of evacuation operations. 3. Improved Coordination Between Rescue Units - UAVs support better coordination between different rescue teams by relaying real-time information on water levels, obstacles and potential hazards, which aids in synchronizing boat deployment and rescue operations. 4. Challenges in Large-Scale Data Management - While UAVs offer valuable data, managing and processing this information on a large scale remains challenging, especially during emergencies, due to the volume of data and processing needs. 5. Need for Enhanced Policy Frameworks and Training - The integration of UAVs in disaster response calls for updated policy frameworks and specialized training programs for operators. This ensures the effective and safe use of UAVs in emergency scenarios. -- Interesting in delving more? Feel free to connect and/or check out our article. Article link: https://lnkd.in/gxkxe8Vn -- Hope you enjoy the read and please feel free to reach out to me or Lara Moussa if you have any questions/comments/collaborative propositions. Also, thanks again to the amazing ecoresolve team and driven collaborators! Raluca Diaconu, PhD Michael Watt Enrique Muñoz Mónica Rivas Casado Eben North Broadbent Margherita Bruscolini Willie Doaemo -- At ecoresolve, we are currently developing projects in the US, Latin America, Middle East and the Asia Pacific at the intersections of mangrove restoration, seagrass mapping, blue carbon markets, remote sensing, biodiversity conservation, community engagement, disaster management, climate extremities, public health and ecotourism, and would love to connect with like-minded researchers and experts. -- Cheers! Mikey #floodevacuation #drones #disastermanagement #remotesensing

Wildfires pose a severe threat to landscapes, properties, and lives around the world. As we search for better ways to manage these disasters, technology is stepping up. Descartes Labs' AI-driven platform represents an advancement in detecting and managing wildfires before they become unmanageable. But that’s just the beginning. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 >> Unmanned Aerial Firefighting : drones are now being equipped to conduct targeted water drops to extinguish fires efficiently. These drones are managed through UAS Traffic Management systems, ensuring safe and effective operations. >> Enhanced Surveillance and Assessment : Drones equipped with high-definition and thermal cameras provide fire departments with critical information on fire conditions and track the spread in real-time. This technology is crucial for making informed decisions on the ground. >> Enhanced Capabilities: Modern drones are fitted with LiDAR for obstacle avoidance, night vision cameras, and even fire extinguishing tools like rockets and firebombs. These features vastly improve the ability to manage fires in challenging conditions. The integration of AI and drones into wildfire management is changing how we respond to these natural disasters. By enhancing detection capabilities and response strategies, we can protect landscapes, properties, and most importantly, lives. As regions like Australia approach fire season by the end of this year, the question remains: Are we ready to implement these technologies to safeguard our firefighters and communities effectively? 🤔 How can AI and drone technology be further integrated into our emergency response systems? What other technologies should we consider to improve disaster management? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups

🌐🚁 Airbus’ Integrated Air–Ground Wildfire Response Ecosystem ✈️ Airbus is advancing a new model for wildfire response built around a fully connected, multi‑asset ecosystem. 🛰️ Instead of relying on isolated platforms, Airbus integrates airborne assets, unmanned systems, satellites, and ground command units into one real‑time operational network. 📡 At the center is an Airbus‑developed secure digital backbone that fuses data from all assets — aerial sensors, infrared cameras, drones, satellite imagery, and ground teams — into a single, continuously updated tactical picture. This enables faster detection, smarter coordination, and safer operations. 🚁 Airborne assets Airbus aircraft and helicopters contribute: - Precision water‑drop capability - ISR and mapping - Medical evacuation - Aerial command and control - Connectivity relay for responders Flight paths and drop points are optimized through Airbus’ real‑time analytics. 🛰️ Space‑based sensing Airbus satellites provide: - Early fire detection - Risk and damage assessment - Wide‑area situational awareness - Connectivity support in remote areas This gives commanders a macro‑level understanding of fire behavior. 🚁 Unmanned systems Airbus UAS platforms add: - Persistent monitoring - Optical and infrared imaging - Close‑range assessment - Airborne communication nodes They bridge the gap between satellites and crewed aircraft. 🛠️ Ground command systems Airbus ground solutions deliver: - Real‑time C3 (Command, Control & Coordination) - Asset tracking - Fire‑spread prediction - Secure voice, data, and video Every responder operates from the same synchronized picture. 🔗 Digital backbone The ecosystem is unified through Airbus’ mission‑critical technologies: - Cloud‑based data fusion - AI‑driven analytics - Private 4G/5G mission networks - Secure remote access for decision‑makers 🔵 This transforms raw data into actionable guidance for air and ground teams. 🎯 The Result Airbus is shifting wildfire response from platform‑centric to ecosystem‑centric — delivering faster detection, smarter coordination, and safer operations across the entire mission chain.

🚁 New Publication Alert: "Enhancing Disaster Resilience with UAV-Assisted Edge Computing" Excited to share our latest research published in the ACM Journal on Autonomous Transportation Systems (May 2025). Our work titled "Enhancing Disaster Resilience with UAV-Assisted Edge Computing: A Reinforcement Learning Approach to Managing Heterogeneous Edge Devices" delves into crucial advancements in disaster management. 🔍 Core Problem: In times of disasters such as floods, wildfires, or grid failures, stationary edge devices often encounter power and connectivity disruptions. Our study investigates leveraging drones (UAVs) to assist these devices by: - Offloading compute tasks to conserve battery life. - Serving as relay nodes to ensure network coverage. 🧠 Our Approach: We employ reinforcement learning to: - Model power/connectivity failures across various edge devices. - Forecast potential device failures. - Guide maintenance efforts and prioritize critical assistance. 🏙️ Simulation Highlights: Our experiments span rural town and dense urban evacuation scenarios, showcasing: - Substantial network operation extension. - Enhanced device longevity. 💡 Key Takeaway: Intelligent UAV deployment, guided by data-driven insights, fortifies emergency systems, directing resources to areas of utmost need. This research represents a significant stride towards adaptive emergency response systems integrating edge computing with aerial support. We anticipate this framework will benefit disaster relief planners, urban resilience teams, and networks seeking autonomous reliability. Kudos to my dedicated PhD students Talha Azfar (leading the implementation) and Kaicong Huang for their invaluable contributions. 👥 If you're engaged in UAV systems, critical environment edge computing, or resource optimization through reinforcement learning, let's connect and explore potential collaborations! Access the paper for free here: [Link to the Publication](https://lnkd.in/dbJX2Aqk) #UAV #EdgeComputing #ReinforcementLearning #DisasterResilience #AutonomousSystems

Look at the two different Pinpoints (waypoint for you aviators) in this image and notice how they appear in this augmented reality display… at first glance they appear to be in two completely different locations, but on a flat map they are in the exact same geographical spot as they have the exact same latitude/longitude coordinates. The only difference is their altitude in MSL (mean sea level, or other words their height above seal level.) The lower pinpoint is at sea level while the higher is at 8,400 ft. It is incredibly important to include the altitude (z axis coordinate) when planning your rescues. Having the ability to have the pinpoint displayed like this at its ACTUAL location is so incredibly useful to the SAR UAS pilot. This ability increases situational awareness, decreases search times, and increases the possibility of saving lives. Aircraft such as this DJI Matrice 30T is amazingly suited with the best reliability in the industry to enable #firstresponders to save American lives. It’s vitally to learn your aircraft, it’s systems and all its many capabilities to increase your ability to save lives. #drones #searchandrescue #firstresponders #livesoverprofit #innovatenotlegislate #corporategreed