DART shares real time information - where it matters, when it matters. By networking emergency workers, in the field and back at headquarters, it supports and assists the people who put their lives on the line during floods, wildfires, tropical storms and cyclones.
DART Harnesses the power of Network Centric Operations (NCO) to manage information flow between all team members andkeep track of all first responders. In doing so it creates a real-time network to connect ground forces, airborne assets and control centres.
DART creates its own mobile, "off the grid" network, linking all team members and enabling communications at all levels
All First Responders are equipped with individual, purpose built GPS trackers Team leaders are equipped with DART on a rugged tablet. Airborne assets (aircrafts and UAVs) are data linked and networked. The Incident Commander has a complete overview of operations real time. The Regional Headquarters monitors and coordinates all concurrent situations.
"If it is not risk informed, it’s not sustainable and if it’s not sustainable it has a human cost. Reducing economic losses from disasters has the power to transform lives”
Mami Mizuntori
Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, UN
Meeting the challenges of disaster management
In the coming years scientists predict an increase in both the frequency and economic cost of natural disasters such as cyclones, forest fires and floods. During these chaotic scenarios it is difficult to maintain:
Safety
What happens if a team member gets lost or hurt? Are there people in the wildfire retardant drop zone? How can risk to life be minimised?
Communications
Disasters often occur in remote areas or knock out cellular networks. It is too expensive for everyone to carry a satellite phone. Are there other options?
Information
What is the extent of the flood? Where is the fire and where is it headed? Where the people who need rescuing? What assets are available for deployment?
An innovative technological solution to coordinate the management of a disaster response
DART is an integrated hardware and software solution designed to meet the challenges faced by emergency response teams by providing:
Improving Safety
All first responders are equipped with DART track, a rugged, purpose built GPS tracker. The user can send an alarm to the network if he / she is in trouble. Team leaders send messages to team members to alert them to a problem. DART automatically warns the operator they enter a danger zone.
"Off Grid" Networking
DART uses MESH radios to form a MANET (mobile, ad-hoc, network) linking all team leaders and the incident commander. It shares real time information on the disaster. It enables and enhances communications between all team members and keeps all decision makers "in the loop".
Sharing Critical Information
DART shares information where it matters, when it matters. It imports and displays information on the spread of a wildfire or flood and when assets are on the move, follows their location and speed / direction of travel. It establishes a common data bank to update and share information.
Interoperability is a core element of an integrated DART system
In the face of disaster all resources must work together seamlessly. All technology and communications devices employed must be connected and information shared. Organisations such as the EU manage a reserve of pre-committed assistance from EU Member States that can be immediately deployed. This reserve brings together specialists from member countries, all speaking their own language. DART uses data, not voice, to share information and icons, not words to display it.
All instructions and commands in DART can be changed to any language when the program is started, enabling every individual to operate in their own language and seamlessly work together as a team.
DART adds unique value to teams of emergency responders battling to save lives and prevent damage to wildlife and property by:
Enabling effective response to disaster through "distributed decision-making"
DART applies technology developed for military Network Centric Operations (NCO). DART is a nodal application (as opposed to server/client). Each computer receives, displays and shares data on the network in real time. DART shares information in real time to all personnel and enables decisions to be taken at the best level.
Decisions are only as good as the information they are based on. DART ensures that all decision makers base their decisions on accurate and timely information, to empower first responders to react faster and more effectively to a disaster.
Coordinating air operations with land operations
DART integrates aircraft and UAVs into the information network, using airborne MESH radios and tablet computers. This enables them to share their position and live stream video images. Every pilot can see the location of all other aircraft and ground teams, which enhances situational awareness for extra safety.
The Incident Commander can monitor and coordinate all airplanes, helicopters and UAVs. He can prioritise supply drops, where they are needed. He can direct pilots to the most effective places to drop water / retardant. He can share the location of survivors with helicopter rescue teams.
Utilising UAV technology to locate wildfires and map out the disaster area
Conventionally helicopters are used to provide aerial intelligence on the exact location of a wildfire or the extent of a disaster. DART utilises UAVs, operated from the ground, to provide real time information on the disaster area. Thus delivering the same results at a fraction of the operational cost.
A partner of DART has developed a world leading solution for UAV geolocation. The Halcón Gimbal attached to the UAV instantly calculates the location on the ground from the angle that the camera is pointing. The information is then seamlessly transferred into DART.
Alerting members of the public via a common alerting protocol (CAP)
Disasters, both natural and industrial, usually happen in places that are not prepared for the tragic events. Intaero has developed a Common Alerting Protocol, based on CAP 1.2, to give early warning to the general public.
Once the risks are identified, news of the disaster is co-ordinated and then disseminated to the general public using TV, radio, news outlets and mobile phones.
