UC02.1: Indoor Drone Exploration and Victim Detection (Firefighters)

Version 8.1 by Mark Rinse van Koningsveld on 2025/07/13 21:54

Indoor Drone Exploration and Victim Detection – Firefighting

Objective

OB01: Increase effectiveness through exploration, sensing and communication means 

OB04: Improve safety by providing overviews and warnings of environment conditions 

Deploy indoor drones to map fire zones, locate victims, and support tactical decisions before firefighter entry.

TDPTDP1, TDP2, TDP4, TDP5
IDPIDP1
ActorsDrone Operator, Analyst, Squad Leader, Firefighters
Pre-ConditionFire scene is active; indoor conditions are high-risk.
Post-ConditionThermal map and victim locations shared; entry plan finalized.

Action Sequence

  1. Deployment and Setup
     a. Squad leader flags interior as unsafe for direct entry.
     b. Drone team sets up drone system at staging area.
     c. Analyst configures live thermal feed and map overlay.
  2. Exploration and Navigation
     a. Drone enters building autonomously, avoiding flames and collapse zones.
     b. Thermal imaging detects hotspots, structural issues, and movement.
     c. Real-time feed transmitted to analyst at command truck.
  3. Victim Detection and Manual Control
     a. Analyst monitors heat signatures and marks possible victims.
     b. Operator switches to manual mode for closer inspection.
     c. Victim locations are confirmed and tagged.
  4. Team Coordination and Decision Support
     a. Analyst updates thermal map and sends it to squad leader.
     b. Squad leader revises plan and briefs entry team.
     c. Firefighters enter with better spatial and thermal awareness.
     
Claims (title)FunctionEffect(s)Action Sequence Step(s)
CL1 Increase situational awareness pre-entryThermal camera, live drone feed, map overlayEnables squad leader and command to understand hazard zones, heat signatures, and layout → Informs safer and more targeted entry plan.
→ Measure with mission planning accuracy or reduced entry errors.
2b, 3a, 4a
CL2 Improve safety of firefighters insideDrone maps hazard zones and structural integrityHelps avoid fire, heat, and collapse zones → Fewer responder injuries.
→ Measure with number of incidents prevented or path corrections.
2a, 3b, 4b
CL3 Reduce entry preparation timeAutonomous exploration, thermal scanningSpeeds up hazard mapping before firefighter entry → Enables faster decision-making under pressure.
→ Measure with time between arrival and safe entry.
2a, 2b
CL4 Improve victim detection accuracyManual drone control for closer inspectionReduces false positives in victim detection and increases certainty → Enables better allocation of rescue resources.
→ Measure with victim confirmation rate.
3a, 3b, 3c
CL5 Increase command confidence in decisionsAnalyst interpretation + real-time map updatesEnables command to brief team based on data instead of assumptions → Higher mission control and reduced hesitation.
→ Measure with post-mission surveys or planning revisions.
4a, 4b
CL6 Improve mission performance overallIntegrated thermal imaging, analyst updates, safe entryResults in quicker rescue operations with fewer injuries due to smarter planning and environment awareness.
→ Measure with rescue success rate and time-to-victim.