Maizuru City conducts disaster response drill using Starlink and drones

Maizuru City conducted a disaster response training exercise in the Takiguro district to strengthen communication capabilities in areas where mobile networks are unreliable. The drill simulated a landslide scenario that blocked access roads and isolated residential areas.

The exercise utilized Starlink satellite communication technology, specifically the KDDI emergency 2TB plan, in conjunction with drones. Fire department personnel operated drones to survey hazardous areas that are difficult for humans to access, significantly improving the efficiency of information gathering compared to traditional methods.

Using the Starlink connection, high-definition video and audio from the drones were shared in real-time with the city's disaster response headquarters via Google Meet. This demonstration confirmed that visual information can be transmitted instantly to support rapid decision-making for rescue and relief operations. The city plans to continue these training exercises to prepare for various disasters, including large-scale power outages.