Aerial drones for Fire Disaster Response

Abstract

The significance of fire in human society encompasses essential functions like illumination, warmth, and cooking but also poses immense risk when uncontrolled, leading to catastrophic damage and loss of life. Traditional firefighting responses are often hindered by geographical and logistical challenges, resulting in delays that exacerbate the severity of fires. This research introduces an innovative solution through the use of an autonomous firefighting drone, designed for round-the-clock surveillance and rapid response to fire scenes. Utilizing image processing and neural networks, the drone can efficiently detect fire and smoke, serving as the first responder, and is equipped with fire extinguishing balls to initiate suppression. The work extends to explore the application of AI edge aerial drones in disaster response, not only to fires but also floods and landslides, particularly in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. By focusing on various urban, peri-urban, and rural contexts, the research delineates potential implementation strategies aimed at enhancing situational awareness for first responders and reducing response time to reach victims, thereby facilitating more effective disaster response operations. The study’s findings point to a considerable advancement in firefighting technology that could lead to decreased fire damage and saved lives, filling a critical gap in the disaster response playbook. This advancement in firefighting technology enhances response times, decreases fire damage, and ultimately, saves lives.