Optimizing real-time
technologies with
real-time emergency
response solutions
and the new way of planning
emergency
response
Drones
t
he Canadian Armed Forces face a number of
harrowing mandates – both domestic and in-
ternational - to ensure the safety of our coun-
try. Domestic emergencies like natural disas-
ters often come to light when provincial governments
seek federal resources, through manpower, machinery,
and tools.
However, Canada's military still relies heavily on dated
paper copy emergency operating procedures, captured in
physical binders that are often forgotten until an emer-
gency arises, and often lack the updated information and
lessons learned from recent emergency situations.
Regional military bases and wings are quick to jump in
to provide assistance, as troops stationed in Gagetown
did when spring thaws produced dangerously high
flood levels. Search and rescue, in the case of a flood, is
just one example of the kind of domestic emergencies
that keep our forces busy. As insurance costs rise, plan-
ning and immediate responsiveness can save millions of
dollars lost in damages caused by natural disasters.
This type of mandate is not rare; in May of this year,
the army deployed troops and aircrafts to Alberta to
battle the wildfires in Fort McMurray. CH-146 Grif-
fon helicopters were sent to perform evacuations, while
C-130J Hercules planes and a C-17 Globemaster stood
at the ready to aid in the movement of firefighters and
equipment as needed.
As natural disasters like floods and fires are primar-
ily a regional issue, provincial governments need to
coordinate emergency response protocols with the
federal government— an integration process that can
be challenging. It can be difficult to communicate and
execute emergency plans that involve different groups
with different mandates, but with a single platform that
houses and provides access to all documents, resources,
and communications from one platform, emergency
responders can streamline efficiencies and improve re-
sponse time to significantly minimize lost dollars due to
damages caused by natural disasters - and in some cases,
reduce the loss of life.
by stuart Beare
autonomous VEHICLES
www.vanguardcanada.com OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016 19
a
by Ken chadder and Kevin Young
