Crisis Management Days

Next-Generation Emergency Response: Leveraging 5G Networks and UAV Swarms for Real-Time Crisis Management

Jurica Đurić

Igor Znika

Krunoslav Bilić

Aleksandar Skendžić

Keywords: Crisis Management, 5G Networks, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Emergency Communication, Disaster Response, Situational Awareness

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Abstract

Effective crisis management relies heavily on rapid, uninterrupted communication and accurate situational awareness. Traditional communication infrastructures frequently fail during severe natural disasters or large-scale emergencies, severely hampering search and rescue operations. This paper investigates the transformative potential of combining Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with 5G telecommunication networks to establish highly resilient, dynamic emergency communication systems. By deploying autonomous UAV swarms acting as temporary mobile base stations and real-time data gatherers, emergency responders can maintain low-latency communication and stream high-definition thermal and optical data from inaccessible disaster zones. The paper evaluates the technological feasibility, logistical challenges, and operational benefits of this integrated approach. Furthermore, it addresses the regulatory and ethical considerations of deploying autonomous systems in civilian spaces during crises, offering a comprehensive roadmap for integrating these innovative technologies into modern disaster response strategies.