UAV-borne photogrammetric survey as USAR firefighter teams support

Abstract

Fire Departments feature specialized teams for Urban Search And Rescue (USAR) activities, operating in case of disasters and in collapse contexts, where the actual situation no longer coincides with any previous survey. In this context, current UAV-borne photogrammetry may offer very effective methods, enabling achievement of to-date knowledge of the status quo. Their effectiveness in these contexts is due to the ability of drones to operate in triple-D areas (Dull, Dusty, Dangerous) and to the remote sensing features inherent in photogrammetry. This article presents an experimental project exploring the potential of this kind of survey. The test survey dataset was collected at the USAR training facility of the Fire Brigade of Pisa. In particular, the analysis of the team intervention procedures on the disaster area and the survey methods used to obtain a quick but geometrically consistent survey, are presented.