Manned drones could become integral to emergency services

Falck says as drone technology is rapidly evolving, the next phase will be to gain concrete experience of how drones may be used in specific situations and to adjust legislation to allow drones to become part of everyday life.

The company sees perspective in the ability to respond with a single paramedic, who can assess whether an ambulance is needed. Therefore, Falck is initiating its first test flights with unmanned drones and is working on establishing a partnership with a tech-partner with whom the company can carry out manned drone flights.

More healthcare for less money

Falck is in dialogue with several leading drone suppliers to find a tech-partner. The company is not going to develop the technology but will focus on adapting drones to emergency response. In a statement, Falck said: “Our aim is to find out how and when the technology may be used in the future emergency response services. New technology is a way to get more healthcare for less money, and Falck is well-positioned to test and evaluate new technologies on a large scale. That requires global partnerships and implementation across national markets.”

Meanwhile, Korean Air is supplying two of its new hybrid unmanned vehicles for a firefighting drone project on Jeju Island.