Giżycko establishes specialized drone unit for search and rescue

In Giżycko, a specialized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) section has been established to enhance search and rescue operations. Following a successful rescue mission at Lake Szymoneckie where a private drone helped locate a missing sailor, local authorities and organizations moved to professionalize the service.

The new equipment includes a DGJ Matrice 4TD model equipped with thermal imaging cameras and artificial intelligence capable of recognizing people and vehicles. The technology allows for autonomous landings and operation during night, rain, or high winds. The acquisition of the first drone, which cost 60,000 PLN and included a laptop and docking station, was funded by the Orlen Foundation with support from local government offices.

Currently, eight members of the rescue team are part of the UAV section, with four having completed EU-standard STS-01 and STS-02 qualifications for operating drones up to 25 kg in both visual and beyond-visual-line-of-sight capacities.