Search and Rescue (SAR) organizations face the unique challenge of responding to critical incidents that require vasts amounts of actionable intelligence in an incredibly short period of time. While one mission may demand comprehensive terrain data for rescue climbers in the remote wilderness, another may require immediate offshore weather updates to prepare aircraft. In these situations, the need for accurate and up to the minute information can mean the difference between life or death. Utilizing new techniques in intelligence analysis, data fusion, and analytical software, the effectiveness of SAR teams are greatly improved.

Analysis during a search and rescue mission demands a number of critical information requirements that must be collected in real-time including, active tracking of SAR personnel, updated weather information, accurate geographic products, updated search areas, resource availability, and active communications. These are just a few of the requirements that must be fused, analyzed, and disseminated constantly to all team members. The faster the intelligence information can be processed and distributed the faster the SAR teams can reach the victim.

The data already exists in numerous databases and within many unconnected organizations. Reaching that information in time to complete a mission is not always easy when minutes count. Utilizing advanced analytical tools with skilled analysts will provide search and rescue organizations with a new set of powerful tools that will ultimately save lives.

Post by Nick Townsend, a Praescient Analyst Consultant