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The DLRG local branch in Haltern often serves the federal association as a testing ground for modern technology. Both new devices for radio communications and drones for long-distance observation are therefore being used in Haltern.
“It is important to keep up with the times in order to have modern and reliable means of communication for use, which are also available if other communication channels fail,” says Benedikt Wintz, chairman of the DLRG Haltern am See.
As a recognized aid organization in civil protection, it is necessary to deal with the latest technology in order to give the volunteers the best conditions for effective use.
Since 2020, the DLRG in Haltern has also been part of a drone project by the federal association. The local group in Haltern am See trains long-distance pilots for use in civil protection.
Use in the Ahr Valley
During the flood disaster in 2021, the lifeguards from Haltern were on duty with numerous forces for several days. “Communication and timely information gathering on site was one of the biggest challenges,” says Sebastian Höhnerhaus, head of operations and officer for civil protection of the local group. “We were able to gain good experience in the field of information gathering using drones, which provided the operations center on site with quick insights in order to coordinate aid measures more precisely and efficiently.”
Two long-distance pilots from the DLRG Haltern am See were deployed in the Ahr Valley and were able to use a drone from the federal association to explore places that were difficult to access and find people who urgently needed help.
Drone technology has advanced rapidly since then. “The new technology enables significantly longer flight times and high-resolution images and thermal recordings. Operations at night and in adverse weather conditions are also possible with a modern drone,” reports Pascal Sparenberg, representative for remote sensing (drones).
Costs up to 35,000 euros
“The cost of a modern drone that meets the desired requirements is enormous, ranging from 16,000 to 35,000 euros. With the new technology, the lifeguards from Haltern am See could not only intervene in the event of a disaster, but also provide active support to the fire brigades and other aid organizations throughout the district.”
However, the DLRG Haltern am See does not receive any financial support for the procurement and maintenance of its operational material – neither from the municipality nor from the state government. The district of Recklinghausen also supports the DLRG at present only through framework agreements for the procurement of radio equipment. The helpers are therefore dependent on donations. These can be sent to the DLRG Haltern accounts at Volksbank Südmünsterland-Mitte, IBAN: DE44 4016 4528 0101 5909 00, purpose: drone, or at Stadtsparkasse Haltern, IBAN: DE27 4265 1315 0000 0024 28, purpose: drone.