Forest fire monitoring; information on the organization of aerial observation

Aerial observation usually takes place at weekends and on public holidays. The task of the aerial observation teams is to detect forest fires as early as possible, localize the exact location of the fire and report this to the integrated control centre (ILS) via digital radio. This then immediately alerts the relevant fire departments to fight the fire. Information from the air can be used to support both the approach and the fire-fighting operations of the fire brigades.

The governments and district administrative authorities are responsible for organizing and managing the observation flights.

The aerial observation flights are carried out by volunteer pilots from Luftrettungsstaffel Bayern e.V.. Spread over 32 bases, more than 300 pilots with 150 airplanes and 5 helicopters are available in Bavaria. When flights are ordered, the operational pilots are supported by trained air observers from disaster control, the forestry administration or the district administration authorities and form an air observation team.

Surveillance flights are carried out regularly during severe drought. This means that the deployment of aerial observers can usually be planned in advance. However, the aerial observers can also be alerted in the event of major fires, floods, environmental disasters or other large-scale acute events. During their work in the observation aircraft or helicopter, they are connected to the emergency services on the ground via BOS radio and can therefore pass on important information or guide emergency services from the air.

The operational pilots and air observers are specially trained for their tasks. Selection for training as an official air observer is carried out by the responsible lower disaster control authority according to need. The group of people designated for this purpose includes managers from district offices / independent cities, fire departments, technical relief organizations and forestry services. All air observers undergo rigorous, demanding training and further training at the State Fire Service College in Würzburg. In addition, they must undergo further theoretical and practical training at district level at least twice a year.