Tragedies such as the fatal fire in a shipyard in De Punt in 2008 cannot be prevented, but the risk can be reduced. This is what BAS aims to achieve, a robot that can be sent into a dangerous building as a scout.
The serious fire in De Punt claimed the lives of three firefighters at the time. They entered a building where they were surprised by a gas explosion. Jeroen Antoons, chief officer of the Drenthe Safety Region, does not venture to say whether this tragedy could have been prevented. “Afterwards it is always difficult to say whether something could have been prevented. Every bet is different. But with BAS we can increase the safety of our people.”
Cameras and technology
BAS is the name of a so-called exploration robot, which most resembles an oversized steerable car on six wheels. It is equipped with a 360-degree camera, heat camera, gas sensors and a vandal-proof housing that can withstand a beating. Under the hood, the robot is packed with advanced technology. The device was developed by Bork Group from Stuifzand, in close collaboration with Drenthe and Groningen technology companies, ASTRON and the Drenthe Safety Region.
“We often assist emergency services, for example with a crane or fencing to cordon off an area. During these deployments we experienced what emergency responders encounter. That got us thinking,” says Bork director Alfred Echten. In the event of an emergency, the robot can be driven into a building to inspect whether the coast is clear. What about the oxygen content? Where is the seat of the fire? Is there a risk of collapse?
‘Caring about our people’
In current situations, firefighters must rely on their own observations to answer those types of questions. “With BAS we receive support from technology to assess safety,” says Antoons. “We care about our people.”
The chief officer is happy with it. In the future, the Drenthe Safety Region can use BAS in the event of an emergency. One call to Bork is enough to call in the robot’s help.
Smoke from the windows
The device will be presented and demonstrated on Friday at the fire training ground in Wijster. Antoons controls the device with a controller while wearing virtual reality glasses to watch live. He sends the white cart into the house where a fire is raging. Smoke billows from the windows, but the seat of the fire cannot be discovered from the outside. “Normally, firefighters have to comb the entire building through the thick smoke to discover the seat of the fire,” says Antoons.
Not today. Thanks to the BAS thermal camera, the fire was quickly detected. A couch is on fire, a room away. “This way we can act faster in an emergency.”
‘Can save lives’
For Bork, the demonstration in Wijster is only the beginning. The company is looking for partners to further develop the robot and produce it on a larger scale. The interest is there, says Echten. “The Kennemerland Safety Region, which includes Schiphol, has shown interest, as has the airport in Frankfurt. BAS can save lives.”
Tags: BAS Drenthe robot fire emergency responders care people
