Threats Related to the Use of Unmanned Systems in Emergency Services
Aim: The aim of this paper is to identify and present the most important threats related to the increasingly widespread application of unmanned systems, as well as the methods and ways to reduce those threats. The authors present a number of potential threats related to the use of unmanned systems in various environments - air, land and water. In addition, this paper discusses the solutions and approaches used to limit the risks associated with use of such systems. The authors also describe the increasingly common problem of the presence of amateur unmanned systems during search and rescue operations, and methods for their detection and counteracting their undesirable presence. Introduction: Due to the increasingly common use of unmanned vehicles, both for recreational and professional purposes, and the decreasing cost of purchasing unmanned systems, the risk associated with their use continues to grow. In order to take full advantage of the possibilities offered by unmanned systems during search and rescue operations, they must be equipped with systems and methods to prevent their failure or safety systems that reduce the effects of such incidents. Such procedures will minimise the number of possible incidents that could negatively affect the public opinion on the use of new technologies in emergency services, effectively limiting their development in this area. Safety improvements can also be achieved through the regular organisation of specialised training programmes and events for rescuers-operators, which, apart from presenting the possibilities offered by unmanned systems, would place emphasis on identifying possible threats and methods of counteracting them. The cyclical schedule of such projects would result in continuous expansion of opportunities and exchange of experiences between operators in the fast-growing field of unmanned vehicles. In addition to specialised courses for operators, a special certification path for such vehicles should also be developed. This would contribute to increased reliability of vehicles and their security systems, confirming their suitability for use even in the most difficult conditions during search and rescue operations. Conclusions: Failure to introduce appropriate rules for the sharing of airspace and the lack of an appropriate certification process do not allow the introduction of unmanned vehicles in search and rescue services. In addition, there is no training aimed at maximising the opportunities offered by unmanned vehicles.