Faroese rescuers on live video: - That's what makes all the difference

In the Faroe Islands, nature and weather can be harsh - and requires both a good overview and the latest technology in rescue operations. Using live video from drones, volunteer rescuers now have the opportunity to get eyes on the scene and share with police and fire services.

LFB Drona

When rescuers from the LFB (Landsforeningen for Bjærgningsforeningerne (LFB)) go out in their specialised unit LFB Drona, it is often in some of the most demanding terrain in the Nordic region. Steep cliffs, deep fjords and unpredictable weather place high demands on both overview and safety. That's why the volunteer emergency services have chosen to enhance their efforts with professional technology.

"When we are called out, it's often about finding people who have gone missing. It's an obligatory task. Even though we are volunteers, our equipment and methods must be highly professional. That's why we have chosen to use the video solution, IncidentShare," says Jens Hansen, who coordinates LFB's drone project at LFB Drona.

 

Eyes on the Incident

Via IncidentShare, LFB Drona can send live video from the air to both police and fire departments. The drone is equipped with a thermal imaging camera and live video is streamed via encrypted connections, giving incident commanders a secure, clear and visual overview without spending time on verbal communication.

"We have removed an entire communication link. When the police can see the same thing as us in real time, we avoid misunderstandings. We move our eyes directly to the scene," says Jens Hansen from LFB Drona.

 

From search and rescue to house fires

The system has been used in several critical incidents.

In one case, a person was reported missing. Using the drone and thermal imaging camera, LFB Drona found the person who had fallen 20 meters down a hillside after just five minutes. The live video helped document and search the area efficiently so that the same area was not revisited multiple times.

In another incident, the technology was used to monitor a fire. The thermal images on the drone showed exactly where heat and smoke were concentrated, allowing the fire department to prioritise their response quickly and safely.

"In situations like search and fire, IncidentShare gives us - and the incident commander - the best possible overview without putting the crew at risk," says Jens Hansen

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Systems that work together – and save lives

Live video is shared directly with the authorities’ own systems and can be accessed by all relevant units, ensuring everyone has the same visual situational overview. At the same time, LFB communicates with units via radio, so video and audio are perfectly synchronised.

“IncidentShare is what ties everything together. The drone, the camera, the radio -it only works because we share a common visual reference. That’s what makes all the difference,” explains Jens Hansen.

 

A solution for all of the Nordics

LFB Drona implemented IncidentShare based on recommendations from both the police, the fire service in Tórshavn, and their drone supplier in Copenhagen. The system operates optimally even in areas with poor coverage and has quickly become a permanent part of emergency preparedness.

“We receive a lot of praise for our work and we are proud of that. IncidentShare helps make our response both faster, safer, and more efficient. We hope that other emergency services in the Nordics will be inspired. Every time we avoid misunderstandings and save minutes we increase the chance of saving lives,” concludes Jens Hansen.