UAV-ASSISTED INTERVENTION TASKS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE NEEDS OF MEŽICA CIVIL PROTECTION MUNICIPAL HEADQUARTERS DURING THE AUGUST 2023 FLOODS

Abstract

This article discusses the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the needs of the Municipal Civil Protection Headquarters (MCPH) during the August 2023 floods in the area of Mežica Municipality. On 7 August 2023, the Civil Protection Commander of Mežica Municipality issued Order No 846-0011/2023 on the use of UAVs. The aim of this article is to present the method and procedures of the operational implementation of the use of UAVs in the case of floods, applying descriptive and case study methods. Primary data sources were used. During the period from 7 to 9 August 2023, the operational activities with UAVs were focused on inspecting individual flooded areas and the preliminary assessment of the damage and consequences to the affected areas and infrastructure. UAVs were effectively used to rapidly assess the extent of the flooding, identify the most affected areas, and survey the wider and narrow areas of landslides, rockslides and erosion hotspots. The use of UAV imagery provided the disaster response services involved in flood rescue and recovery with high quality and timely operational information on the situation at the scene. For disaster response commanders, the UAV-generated imagery provided better visibility and a more effective overview of what was happening and how the situation was evolving, and helped them to pri­oritize their tasks. Owing to an air bridge established between Slovenj Gradec Airport (H1) and Mežica Sports Park (H5), no UAV activities were carried out in the wider and narrower surroundings of H5.