In sub-zero temperatures, poor visibility, and snow, the German Red Cross (DRK) rescue service in Central Hesse (RDMH), the Department of Health at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM), and the Herborn volunteer fire department tested the use of drones in complex accident situations. In the "Nighthawk 22" scenario, a car collided with an unlit hazardous materials transport truck at an unguarded railroad crossing; people were injured and wandering through the night forest.

For the fire department and the German Red Cross (DRK), the exercise at the THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) training grounds in Frohnhausen near Dillenburg is taking place under challenging conditions such as darkness and biting cold – the cold season was deliberately chosen to master the special demands of an operation in these climatic conditions. This is because drones can then demonstrate their advantages in supporting rescue workers, explains Prof. Dr. Henning Schneider, Dean of the Department of Health at THM(Technical University of Central Hesse). For the university, participation represents a first: Concepts developed at the university for supporting rescue operations are being tested in a realistic environment for the first time.

“In hazardous situations, rescue workers face the risk of being injured while providing assistance. Therefore, it must be determined beforehand whether they can carry out their mission safely and what hazards exist,” explains Jan Orendt, Operations Manager at RDMH, outlining the fundamental question of every complex emergency response. In this simulated scenario, images from the rapidly ascending THMdrones reveal that the transport is carrying liquid methane, a highly explosive substance. Immediate rescue is therefore impossible. Another drone equipped with special gas sensors circles the tank, transmitting live readings to a monitor in a Department vehicle – and confirming the situation: no methane is leaking.

Prior to the exercise, students from the Department had adapted sensors for hazardous materials for use with drones and developed a method for transmitting information. "This technology can save lives, as rescue workers don't have to go directly to hazardous materials to take measurements," said Bernhard Kaus, a research associate at the Department . Jan Orendt added: "Modern drones can provide high-quality images that allow for an accurate assessment of the situation. Illuminating unclear incident sites in the dark can also be invaluable."

This will also be tested practically during the exercise. Particularly powerful spotlights, developed by students in the Department of Health, will be used. Attached to the drones, they illuminate the entire scene and thus offer advantages over the usual light masts on emergency vehicles: Drones equipped in this way can also be used over rough terrain.

While firefighters and paramedics work diligently to rescue the patients, the command center monitors live feeds from body cameras and drones on a screen – securely transmitted to any location, as Prof. Schneider assures. The in-house developed system, "Vector," is operated on specially protected servers within the Department .

Shortly afterward, a thermal image is also transmitted: It turns out that two more people were in the car than initially suspected. "It's not uncommon for accident victims to leave the scene and be disoriented," says Jan Orendt from the RDMH. In the training scenario, they are considered missing in the rugged, wooded terrain. However, their heat signature is unmistakable in the cold environment. After enlarging the image, it even becomes clear that one person is already showing signs of hypothermia and is bleeding. Prof. Schneider refers to this assessment of a patient's vital signs as "triage from the air," which the scientists at the Department have optimized. The information helps to quickly identify who needs immediate medical attention.

After more than two hours, the participants in the exercise gave a positive assessment. The cooperation worked exceptionally well, and the use of drones was a valuable addition for the rescue services. One emergency responder even suggested that the drones should be equipped with a loudspeaker to alleviate the fears of those affected at the start of the rescue operation. Such feedback provides THM Technical University of Central Hesse) with important suggestions for further optimizing the drones. The only drawback is that these technologies are not yet widespread in Hesse, and the prototypes developed by the Department of Health are not readily available.