Drones.<br />We have become familiar with these contraptions, mostly flown as toys.<br />But these machines are set to serve a greater purpose than mere entertainment.<br />Park Se-young shows us how they could play crucial roles in keeping us safe from disasters. <br />When a fire broke out at an apartment construction site in January, the heat and smoke made it difficult for rescue workers to reach the upper levels.<br />A drone spotted a person on the rooftop and a rescue helicopter was quickly dispatched.<br />More recently, a fire at Suraksan Mountain was put out early because a drone delivered the exact starting location and combustion process.<br />As seen in these examples, drones are able to quickly gather information and transmit reports in complex disaster scenarios.<br />That's why firefighters in Seoul have been expanding the use of drones to include everyday safety.<br />Last year, drones were called to the scene of a fire in a residential area to monitor the situation from up high.<br />And when wild boars were on the loose, drones equipped with thermographic cameras helped determine the level of safety of the surrounding areas.<br />The Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters plans to add to its manual a set of safety measures that were created based on data from drones.<br />It will also seek to make better use of drones to create a more efficient disaster management system.<br />Park Se-young, Arirang News. <br /><br />
