Our solution consists mainly of a cross-platform application that facilitates and secures the distribution of data for the IZS (integrated rescue system) units.

It is primarily a low-latency video transmission. This can be transmitted from a terminal device such as a drone or a ground-based camera, using a backpack based on Teradek technology. This backpack can segment the video stream into four data streams and, depending on the current bandwidth, send them via four LTE modems from different operators to our server. The data streams are appropriately encrypted and individually unreadable. Thanks to the four modems, we can stream video even in areas with poor signal. The data streams are then merged on our server and distributed to a secure application. Depending on the network quality, the video will reach the end user with a delay of only 0.5 to 3 seconds.

Another useful feature is the sharing of positions marked by the drone. As such, our drone knows its position to the nearest centimeter. Moreover, it is equipped with a camera that can determine the distance and direction of the object.  After evaluating the data from the camera, the drone can thus also calculate the position of the target it is looking at relatively accurately. This is how, for example, we mark the locations of suspicious finds during the search for lost persons. These finds are sent to our app and the nearest patrol can easily check the find and mark whether it is, for example, a wanted person’s jacket or just rubbish. The commander of the intervention has the possibility to share the finds in different ways or to load the location of the find in another map viewer. This eliminates lengthy target guidance or worse, completely missing the find.

Another use is in the ranks of the HZS PK (Fire and Rescue Service of the Pilsen Region), where we mark the hot spots of fires and the commander of the intervention can quickly and efficiently direct his units to places where firefighting work is or will be needed.

To this element, the sharing of targeting positions, then belongs another application that runs in the background of the transmitters to these drones. This monitors what’s happening on the controller and in the case of a pilot’s or camera operator’s command, it reads the coordinates from the app’s preview and sends them directly to our server. From there, the IZS Stream app draws data to display on the map base.

You can send individual points or a single point that updates its position over time. We then use this point for tracking – for example, a march during a security measure.

Of course, the application allows you to view all points on the map in one window, displaying the current position of the operator – if a GPS device is available. Switching between points as well as changing their colors to make it easier to filter out scouted points or suspicious points.

However, very important for us is the administration option, which allows us to assign access to users or groups of users according to who is present at a given intervention. This allows us to use our application even during several parallel events without sharing information of individual interventions.

Currently, the application is widely used by the units of the Czech Police and is even a mandatory application equipment of the intervention tablets of the HZS PK and the JSDH PK (Voluntary Fire and Rescue Service of the Pilsen Region).

The application also provides other basic functions such as sending automatic update alerts and so on.