Coordinated disaster response involving rescue canines
In the picturesque Pforzheim-Enzkreis region, the German Red Cross (DRK) and the Federal Association of Rescue Dogs (BRH) have formed a formidable partnership, integrating drone technology into their search and rescue operations to boost efficiency and coverage.
This collaboration is a testament to the teams' seamless coordination, with the BRH deploying specially trained search and rescue dogs, while the DRK employs drones equipped with cameras and thermal imaging.
- Complementary Use of Resources
- The BRH's search dogs, adept at detecting human scent in challenging terrains, work alongside the DRK's drones, which survey large or hard-to-reach areas quickly from the air.
- Operational Coordination
- Drones are flown over search zones, helping identify clues such as footprints, disturbed vegetation, or heat signatures. Once potential areas of interest are identified, the rescue dogs are directed there for more precise scent detection and search.
- Enhanced Communication and Data Sharing
- Real-time video and thermal data from drones are shared with ground teams, updating search plans immediately and reducing overlap. This information helps cover more ground efficiently and accelerates the process of narrowing down the location of missing persons.
- Training and Joint Exercises
- Both groups conduct regular training exercises to improve coordination, familiarize drone pilots with dog team operations, and develop protocols for integrated search efforts.
- Advantages of the Collaboration
- The combination of aerial surveillance capabilities and scent detection skills significantly increases the speed and effectiveness of search operations, particularly in challenging environments.
The BRH rescue dog squad Northern Black Forest, led by Thomas Kälber, boasts two thermal imaging drones. On the other hand, the DRK team, led by Dominique Krueger, is nationally deployable and often supports squads in neighbouring districts. The Red Cross too has acquired a drone to work together and support the local rescue service.
Notably, the BRH squad is the only organization with security tasks nationwide that has image recognition software capable of locating people in colour images. This technology has proven invaluable in their search and rescue missions.
Recently, this formidable team was put to the test in a training exercise, where they successfully located a missing elderly man who had gone missing during a walk and required assistance. The dog, after an hour of searching, alerted to the man's location, and first aid was administered by the dog handler on the scene. An ambulance was requested via radio, and the stable senior was taken to the hospital.
This scenario is just one example of how rescue dog work is carried out in the region, with this type of training happening seven times this year. The cooperation between the DRK and the BRH has been in place since February 2010, and their joint efforts continue to save lives and bring peace of mind to the community.
