Unmanned Aircraft Systems Risk Assessment Based on SORA for First Responders and Disaster Management

Janik, Paweł; Zawistowski, Maciej; Fellner, Radosław; Zawistowski, Grzegorz · 2021 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.3390/app11125364

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Summary

This paper addresses the growing integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in emergency services and disaster management, focusing on the critical need for robust risk assessment methodologies. While UAS offer significant operational advantages for first responders (FRs), their use in complex, high-stakes environments introduces specific threats not fully covered by standard civilian aviation regulations. The authors aim to adapt the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) methodology, originally designed for civilian use, to the unique requirements of FR operations. The study seeks to identify gaps in current SORA frameworks regarding emergency scenarios and proposes guidelines to mitigate risks associated with UAV flights during crises. The methodology involves a theoretical analysis of risk assessment frameworks, specifically comparing SORA with aviation models like the 5M (Machine, Man, Mission, Management, Medium) and SHELL (Software, Hardware, Environment, Liveware) models. The authors developed a comprehensive pre-flight checklist tailored for emergency services, addressing operator competency, equipment integrity, mission planning, and environmental conditions. To demonstrate the application of this adapted framework, the paper presents a case study based on the ASSISTANCE project (Horizon 2020). Specifically, it analyzes "Pilot 3," a terrorist attack scenario involving a truck explosion at a crowded bullfighting arena in Seville, Spain. The operation involves using a DJI Matrice 600 UAV for gas detection and visual reconnaissance in Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) conditions over a populated area. The results of the case study highlight the limitations of standard SORA classifications for emergency contexts. The authors calculated the UAV’s kinetic energy at approximately 1.5 kJ. While the operation was technically VLOS over a populated area, the presence of a large assembly of people during a holiday event would normally classify the flight as "VLOS over an assembly of people," a scenario SORA deems too high-risk for authorization. Consequently, the authors adjusted the classification to "VLOS over a populated area," resulting in an Intrinsic UAS Ground Risk Class (GRC) of 5 on a 10-point scale. This analysis underscores that standard regulatory scenarios are often insufficient for the dynamic and hazardous environments faced by first responders, necessitating tailored risk mitigation strategies. The significance of this work lies in its contribution to the safety and regulatory framework for emergency UAS operations. By demonstrating that SORA can serve as a foundational tool for FR risk assessment, the paper provides a pathway for integrating UAVs into disaster management protocols while maintaining safety standards. The proposed adaptations, including the detailed checklist and the recognition of specific emergency risks, offer practical guidance for operators and regulators. The study concludes that while SORA is a valuable starting point, it requires supplementation to address the specificities of uniformed services, such as rapid response requirements and operations in uncontrolled, high-density airspace. This research supports the broader adoption of UAS in emergency services by providing a structured approach to managing the inherent risks of such operations.

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