Real-time video from remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS): a tool for improved decision-making in mass casualty incidents

In mass casualty incidents, the emergency services must make several important and challenging strategic decisions, characterised by large uncertainties. In this paper, we explore and assess real-time video from remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) as a key tool for reducing uncertainties and thereby improving the situation assessment and decision-making in mass casualty incidents. To study the usefulness of such a technical solution, we consider two mass casualty incidents that occurred in Norway in 2011. Our study shows that a number of uncertainty factors related to missing information, unreliable information, ambiguous or conflicting information, and complex information influenced decision-making at the Oslo government district bombing and Utoya Island shooting. We also find that the use of a remotely piloted aircraft system could have reduced these uncertainties and in general improved the situation assessment in these incidents, highlighting the value of a remotely piloted aircraft system in mass casualty incidents.