Just in time for the tourist season.
The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) is ready for another summer season and the arrival of a large number of visitors to Croatia. In preparation for a greater number of interventions expected in the summer months, HGSS has decided to modernise its equipment and buy five new unmanned drones, adapted specifically to the needs of its rescue teams. Allianz, the new partner of HGSS, helped with the financing, reports ICTBusiness.info on June 14, 2017.
The five-drone fleet, which has become an indispensable part of HGSS efforts, will be strengthened with five new, state-of-the-art unmanned aircraft, equipped with cameras for even easier and a more accurate search of hard-to-reach terrain. The modernisation of the equipment will greatly facilitate their work and enable modern technology to be used throughout the Croatian territory 24 hours a day, which has not been possible so far. The new drones will ease the rescue teams’ work, speed up search and rescue operations, and contribute to greater security for HGSS staff and the injured. In this way, HGSS will further improve its work in accordance with the highest standards.
The acquisition of drones to improve the work of the HGSS is just the beginning of long-term cooperation between the HGSS and Allianz Zagreb, which have been linked by the same mission to provide security and assistance in case of accidents and crises. The acquisition is a result of Allianz’s rapid reaction to the stated needs of the HGSS.
Although HGSS is busy throughout the year, with more than 1,000 rescue operations annually, as many as half of all rescue operations take place in the three summer months. In ten years, the number of interventions has increased five times and is now increasing by 20% per year. The HGSS estimates that the number of operations will triple in the next decade. The increasing number of tourists, especially those who enjoy adventurous activities in nature, is the primary reason for such an upward trend, which is why HGSS is specially preparing for each summer season. HGSS, which is funded from the state and local self-government unit budgets, will greatly benefit from this support.
The most common causes of accidents are falls and slips, and one of the dangers in high mountains is the cold. The greatest risk exists for individuals who are unprepared and visit the mountains along the coast, causing as much as 90 percent of all deaths. People picking asparagus, mushrooms, and hunting for snails are also frequent victims.
