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- Title
Zastosowanie pojazdu amfibijnego GAMMA w trudnych warunkach terenowych.
- Authors
Telak, Jerzy
- Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this study is to illustrate potential exploitation by the Polish State Fire Service (PSFS) of the amphibious vehicle GAMMA for rescue operations in difficult terrain conditions, including situations caused by flood disasters. Flooding, a natural occurrence, is caused by the overflow of excessive water flowing along water courses or as a result of an abnormal rise in water levels in natural or man-made reservoirs. Life and health risks in Poland are caused by torrential downpours and such are the circumstances during which water rescue operations are undertaken. During flooding and other catastrophes, rescue teams should be prepared for action in conditions where water levels vary in depth and where murky waters hide smaller infrastructures as well as abandoned equipment on unlit waterlogged building sites. Boats and wheeled vehicles used during water rescue operations have limited use. A light caterpillar amphibian vehicle GAMMA may complement existing rescue equipment. The vehicle can achieve a speed of up to 60 kph on roads and shallow water. In deep water the vehicle is powered by an outboard engine and characteristically behaves like a small motorboat. GAMMA vehicles can perform specialised operational tasks in shallow and deep water, and flooded terrain. Such activities include evacuation of people from isolated outposts, transport of supplies to people who remain in flooded areas, movement of supplies during work on endangered sections of flood barriers and logistic protection of personnel engaged with rescue operations. The vehicle may be equipped with a range of accessories, which enhance its tactical and operational capability. Methods: Analysis of publications, documents and equipment, opinion research using open surveys, practical evaluation of traction capabilities and equipment testing. Conclusions: 1. PSFS does not own light amphibious vehicles for transportation of people in difficult terrain conditions or across flooded areas. 2. The light tracked GAMMA vehicle has a simple construction and consequently does not require specialist servicing. 3. The transition from land to a water environment does not present a problem for GAMMA vehicles and its track capability allows for movement across marshland. 4. GAMMA vehicles may be utilised during water rescue and humanitarian operations in difficult terrain conditions. 5. PSFS should perform research and testing of GAMMA vehicles during exercises and manoeuvres in difficult conditions, including flood simulations.
- Publication
Safety & Fire Technology / Bezpieczeństwo i Technika Pożarnicza, 2015, Vol 37, Issue 1, p119
- ISSN
1895-8443
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.12845/bitp.37.1.2015.10