P.E.I. paramedics put drones to the test for mock disaster

Paramedics are conducting experiments this week at Slemon Park in Summerside, P.E.I., to test the use of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones at accident scenes.

On Tuesday 70 people took part in a mock disaster involving a pretend ten-car pile up with multiple casualties.

• RCMP drone patrols P.E.I. skies
• P.E.I. researchers using drones to fight coastal erosion

"What we're doing is unique," said Dr. Trevor Jain, paramedicine program director at Holland College. "We're looking atreal time UAV technology at a mass casualty incident."

Many of the participants are students in the paramedicine programs at Holland College and UPEI.

For Tuesday's test, conducted on the tarmac of a former runway at Slemon Park, some students acted as first responders. Others wereassigned the roles of accident victims.

Drones protect first responders

Paramedics from Island EMS observed and assessed howstudentshandledthe crisis, both withand withouta drone to help them.

The drone carried a video camera as well asa megaphone. The air-borne loudspeaker allowed first responders to broadcast instructions to survivors below.

Jain said drones have proved useful in disaster situations around the world.

"Europe is going through a period where there are a large number of mass casualtyincidents," he said. "They'refindingthis technology is helping the incident commander manage the scene more effectively."

"In Haiti, drones were used very effectively by the military for rescue."

Canada's military is taking note

The Canadian Armed Forces are funding the research at Slemon Park.Jain says the experimentallowsstudents to participate in scientific research while learning to be paramedics.

"The last project we did here with Holland College and UPEI was picked up by NATO and was actually presented at one of their conferences in Paris a year ago," said Jain.

"We suspect this data will also be picked up. It puts Holland College and UPEI on the map for original research."

Researchers will also testinfrared sensors on drones, for use at night.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |E-gaming: Name names, MLAs tell auditor general
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS |Elvis and Anne to star in 2017 Charlottetown Festival