소방드론의 활용을 위한 소방공무원의 인식과 적용방안에 대한 연구

Abstract

This study examines the perception, operation and application plan of firefighters for the efficient use of fire drones, which are recognized as a useful work tool that can replace or support the tasks of firefighters responding to the ever-changing disaster environment. Currently, the introduction and use of fire drones are in the early stages, prior studies on fire drones have been focused on research related to drone development and suggesting that the use of drones in experimental situations can be helpful in firefighting work. Even in the case of rare user-centered research, most of the studies focused on the metropolitan area, and the number of respondents used in the study was small, so it is somewhat difficult to generalize these results. Therefore, this study conducted an in-depth analysis of domestic and foreign drone-related research in order to suggest ways for the current domestic firefighting organization to efficiently utilize and apply fire drones from a user-centered point of view. Subsequently, based on the results, a questionnaire study was conducted to find out the perception of firefighters according to the introduction of fire drones and the operation and utilization plans of fire drones, and expert in-depth interviews were conducted with firefighters with experience in operating fire drones. As a result, the following conclusions were drawn.

1) As a result of in-depth analysis of prior studies, these studies can be broadly divided into search, disaster and fire monitoring, and transportation fields. In the case of the search field, the use of drones was confirmed to be effective in manpower, time, cost, and equipment. Studies on disaster and fire monitoring have confirmed that the firefighting drone can be used to secure the safety of firefighters because it is useful for checking on-site information. Finally, studies in the transport field have confirmed that the fire drones are helpful in securing golden times in emergency situations.

2) In a survey on the perception of firefighters following the introduction of fire drones, many of the respondents answered that they were willing to participate in the operation and training of fire drones. In addition, respondents expected that the use of drones could contribute to the prevention of safety accidents of firefighters, deterioration of physical strength due to aging, and management of retirement.

3)As a result of conducting a difference analysis according to the whether or not there is a fire drones operating experience, safety measures for rescuers, securing operation crews by changing the position of firefighters, intention to participate in firefighting drone training, and help in retirement management showed that respondents with fire drone operation experience recognized the need for fire drones statistically significantly compared to respondents without firefighting drone operation experience.

４）As a result of conducting a variance analysis according to the working experience of firefighters, prevention of safety accidents by firefighters, securing firefighting drone operation crews and searching for those who need it, direct fire suppression, propagation of the situation through broadcasting, and field command by commanders have confirmed that respondents with high working experience were statistically significantly more aware of the need for drones than those with low working experience. Regarding the retirement management of firefighters, the respondents with low work experience predicted that the introduction of fire drones would be helpful in the retirement management of firefighters compared to those with high work experience.

５）In the results of experts in-depth interviews with firefighters with experience in using fire drones, the interviewees answered that tasks such as identifying disaster site information, arranging vehicles at the fire site, and searching would be effective to use a fire drones. In addition, the interviewees indicated that the supply of drones is not being done well due to difficulties related to the use of fire drones, and that a specialized drone operation department is not systematically equipped. Due to these problems, most of the experts were using personnal drones for firefighting work. This study confirmed that the interviewees had economic and time burdens for repairs and losses due to the use of personal drones, and practical difficulties in performing their duties in parallel.

６）According to the results of the in-depth interviews on the use of fire drones, there is a need to integrate systems such as thermal imaging cameras, large-capacity batteries, communication, and autonomous driving with fire drones, and the main problems were the lack of dedicated personnel and departments for fire drones, the problems of maintenance and supply due to the use of imported drones, and the absence of dedicated drones for firefighting.

Taken together, firefighting organizations need to revise the operating standards for unmanned aerial vehicles that can be used in various fields such as search, monitoring, and transport for efficient use of fire drones. In addition, firefighting organizations need to use fire drones through the establishment of new firefighting drone jobs. Additionally, firefighting organizations can prepare for retirement management and aging of firefighters through training of fire drones. As an application plan for the use of fire drones, the firefighting organization should expand the supply of fire drones, expand the firefighting drone education infrastructure, establish a department for the operation and development of fire drones, and develop a firefighting drone tailored to the field. However, this study has limitations in generalizing it nationwide as it was conducted targeting firefighters in Jeollanam-do. In the future, additional studies should conduct comparative studies targeting firefighters of each local firefighting headquarters, and research on the use and application of fire drones suitable for the local environment and characteristics.