Czech drones against the wildfires in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Published: Jan 9, 2025 Reading time: 3 minutes
Czech drones will help to fight the wildfires in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Czech company Fly4Future conducted a training for local emergency services on how to make use of the drones during natural disasters, such as fires, which have previously occurred in the region.
The training took place on the premises of the Mountain Rescue Service in Jablanica and in the Blidinje Nature Park, providing participants with a unique opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience.
Fly4Future, a company from the Czech Republic, conducted the training for members of the Civil Protection of the Jablanica Municipality, the Civil Protection and Firefighting Service of the Konjic Municipality, the Mountain Rescue Service of Jablanica, and the Volunteer Fire Department of Jablanica. Their expertise focused on the use of drones to complete specialised tasks.
After the training, People in Need and Fly4Future delivered a custom-made drone to the Municipality of Jablanica. This innovative device will be used for early detection and for the suppression of forest fires, supporting rescue operations, and delivering materials and equipment to hard-to-reach areas. It will significantly enhance the capabilities of rescuers and improve response times to fires.
The training programme included live demonstrations and practical exercises led by Fly4Future experts. It enabled participants to acquire essential skills for real-life operations. During the training, participants tested a drone recently donated to the Municipality of Jablanica by Spirit of America, with the support of People in Need.
In addition to the use of custom-designed drones, an early warning system utilising a network of smoke sensors connected to cloud-based technology will enable faster responses, prevent the spread of fires, and detect fires at their earliest stages.
This training is part of the F.I.R.E.S. (Forefront Initiative for Rapid Early Suppression) project and is co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the Municipality of Jablanica and People in Need, in partnership with the Ministry of Trade, Tourism, and Environmental Protection of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, the City of Konjic and the City of Trebinje. The F.I.R.E.S. project offers a comprehensive solution-based early warning system, preventive measures, improved management, and innovative technology.
