Recently, our team partnered with the Phoenixville Fire Department for a joint nighttime search-and-rescue drill in Reservoir Park. A couple of “lost hikers” were staged within the trail system to create a realistic response scenario.

Ground crews from both agencies searched on foot and by UTV while our DJI M30T scanned the area using the onboard thermal camera. After the first victim was located, crews transitioned into a technical rescue evolution, building a rope system and using a Stokes basket to move the patient to a simulated ambulance location.

While that patient was being packaged, a second missing subject was reported deeper in the woods. Our drone crew picked up the heat signature on the thermal camera, marked the exact location, provided the What3Words coordinates, and guided ground teams in. For those unfamiliar, What3Words is a location app that divides the world into ten-foot squares and assigns each one a unique three-word address to pinpoint exact locations. This is very helpful during search & rescue missions. Once responders reached the patient, the M30T drone provided scene lighting and overhead support. The second subject was uninjured and walked out safely with the ground crew.

Great turnout by both agencies and an outstanding example of how well neighboring teams can operate together during search and rescue situations.