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Technology In Search And Rescue

Developed as part of the National Emergency Services Curriculum Project

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Introduction

• Technology in SAR: A misnomer?• What do we mean by Technology?• In what facets of SAR can Technology be

used?• Current Technology and its Applications• The Future of Technology in CAP

Emergency Services• Problems and Issues of Technology in SAR

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Technology in SAR: A Misnomer?

• Do the methodologies of CAP Search and Rescue lend themselves to the use of Technology?

• Can technology be useful enough to justify the time and money?

• At each level, decisions must be made to determine how much time and money will be spent on technology

• Cost/Benefit analysis must be made

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What do we mean by Technology

• Technology does not necessarily include only computers

• Technology refers to the application of new tools to make us more efficient

• These tools can include– Computers and Software– Radio technology– Digital cameras– Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)– Etc.

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Where can Technology be Used in CAP ES?

• There are applications for current and future technology at all levels of CAP – ES Incident Bases– Wing Level– At the local squadron– On Ground Teams– Etc.

• The applications of technology and ES are limited only by cost and the human element

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Current Technology and Applications

• Computers and Software– Of all the technological innovations, computers

and software have the most use in CAP ES– Almost unlimited uses at all levels of CAP ES– COTS (commercial off the shelf) products– Specially designed software packages have

been written by SAR personnel

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Mobile Computers

• Mobile computers are especially useful in CAP ES– Portable– Light

• Mobile computer have disadvantages– Expense– Battery Life– Susceptible to the elements

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Software

• Commericial Products, such as office suites, have a number of applications– Spreadsheets

– Personal Databases

– Word Processors

• Applications– Check-ins

– Tracking ES Qualifications

– Computerized ES Forms

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Software continued…

• Mapping Programs– Delorme Topo Maps

• Topo Maps are now available in high resolution

• Can be used for both air and ground crews

– GIS Systems

• Many other specialty software packages are available that have limitless applications for CAP ES

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GPS

• GPS receivers are becoming more affordable and more precise

• GPS receivers will soon be built into personal radios

• GPS systems can interface into many mapping programs– Provides unprecedented utility to ES Ground

teams

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Communication Technology

• Digital radio communications– Higher Range– Clearer, less static

• Cellular Phones provide far better communications than current 2 meter radios in many areas

• RF Technology has many future uses

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Other Current Technology

• Personal Digital Assistants– Current and Future PDAs have almost as much

power as mobile computers– True power of PDAs rests with PDA

peripherals

• Digital Cameras and Imaging

• Many other technological innovations can be used to make SAR more efficient

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Practical Examples

• Computerized Check-in• CAP Forms Online -

http://www2.netdoor.com/~drchuck/capforms.html

• Track ES Qualifications

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Future of Technology in SAR

• Moore’s Law – “The sum total of all processing power doubles every year”

• Most benefit of technology in SAR will be the result of merging current technologies

• Vision of Future Ground Team Mission

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Problems and Issues

• For all of its benefits, technology does present unique problems

• These problems are inherent to technology in all applications, not just CAP SAR

• Some problems can be solved, but some must be sidestepped

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Problems

• Expense– Up front expense– On-going expense

• Training problems

• Care and Maintenance

• Short Technology Lifecycle

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The Human Element

• Technology for technology’s sake– Technology applications must make SAR more

efficient– Technology for its own sake costs much, but provides

little benefit• The human element

– Many SAR personnel do not like computers, technology, etc.

– “We’ve done it this way for years” mentality– Must demonstrate that technology can be used to make us

more efficient

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Discussion

What are you doing today?

What have you done to better position yourself for the future?

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QUESTIONS?

THINK SAFETY