Image-based technology can save more lives

In an admirable display of courage, will and commitment, the entire team involved in rescue efforts, primarily personnel from National Disaster Response Force, firemen, police and volunteers in addition to vehicle operators and paramedical staff worked round the clock, strained every single nerve to rescue many people trapped under the rubble. Anoop Madhavan, who was involved in relief operations in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake in 2010, says that while in manpower terms, India is second to none, she has yet to catch up with the rest of the world when it comes to using state-of-the-art equipment. For instance, a high-end thermal imaging camera with provisions to even supply fluids to those trapped under the debris is being used the world over, says Mr. Madhavan, chief executive officer of Survival Instincts, authorised provider of the American Red Cross health and safety training programme. “We still have a long way to go in terms of putting to use radio communication technologies that can be operated without satellite connectivity, SIM cards or even microwave towers,” he adds.