A smart fire detection and alarm system is to be launched in Golestan National Park in a matter of weeks to protect its natural reserves from destruction caused by conflagrations.
According to the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Company has established almost all the ICT infrastructure required for the scheme.
According to the ICT Ministry, the installation of communication cables and fiber optic facilities has been completed and a radio talkback system provides two-way and real-time connection between the park’s monitoring stations.
The watchdog stations are also equipped with 34 MBps internet access and permanent power supply through diesel generators.
The company reported that the advanced fire alarm system works by remote temperature and moisture sensing, the internet of things and satellite imagery.
IoT-enhanced flame detectors precisely detect and immediately report fire in the woodland.
Golestan National Park, situated between the eastern parts of Alborz Mountain Range and the western fringes of Khorasan-Kopet Dag and Turkmen-Khorasan Mountain Range, was the first park in Iran equipped with smart protection system.
In June 2019, the smart fire alarm system was piloted in four parts of the park. The move was the fruit of an agreement worth 45 billion rials ($191,000) signed in February 2019 between the ICT Ministry and the Department of Environment.
Isa Kalantari, the former head of DOE, earlier said the national park is highly susceptible to blazes, especially along the 12-km road that traverses the natural reserve.
"The road is frequented by tourists and visitors, and the area is highly vulnerable to fire because people who set up barbecue grills are often oblivious to safety measures," he added.
As per the agreement, highly vulnerable areas are fenced and park rangers are equipped with drones, high-speed motorcycles and infrared goggles. The outdated security talkback system used in the park has also been upgraded to a digital wireless system with a wider coverage.
According to experts, model projects are being replicated in other natural reserves and forests under DOE’s management.
Challenges Ahead
According to Mohammad Taqizadeh, an official with Tehran Governorate, the absence of modern technologies for neutralizing blazes in Iran’s natural reserves is thoroughly felt.
He added that municipalities and the fire department should jointly take responsibility for safeguarding green spaces from fire, besides taking preventive measures with the help of tech facilities.
Climate change has made wildfires more frequent and harsher. The Zagros Mountain Range in southwestern Iran is seasonally ravaged by forest fires spreading across thousands of hectares.
Iran is woefully underprepared to deal with the country's hot season because of a lack of resources and budget, and so extinguishing the fire falls to volunteers.
Locals are underequipped to fight the fire, while Iranian officials deny the extent of damage.
The Zagros Mountain Range is home to many unique species of flora and fauna, with 40% of all plants used for medicinal purposes found in the region. However, drought and overuse of resources have damaged the region’s forests, apart from the threats of wildfires.
Tehran has had its share of wildfires that threaten the capital’s national parks.
“A vast natural park might normally have dry spots that could be highly vulnerable to human-induced or natural blaze, especially in the hot weather,” Taqizadeh said, adding that advance protections can prevent an extensive damage.
He called on government officials and the private sector to provide smart facilities, such as sensors and alarms, to maximize the protection of natural resources.
The official suggested that installation of informative signs around the most fire-stressed areas in forest parks can warn campers and visitors against igniting fires and undertaking other risk-prone behaviors.
Fire Department Adopting Latest Technology
In an earlier effort to strengthen the role of technology in fire extinguishing missions, Tehran Fire Department called on technology firms to devise smart solutions and products to help the department upgrade its rescue services and equipment last year.
Mehdi Davari, the head of the department, said at the time Tehran is highly vulnerable to unexpected hazards and critical situations, especially fire incidents.
"By applying smart solutions and using technological tools, the fire department can overcome the shortcomings and offer more efficient services to the public," he said.
“In view of growing technologies, firefighting methods should be defined anew. We should minimize the damage caused by incidents using innovative strategies and new technologies."
Davari said the fire department is keen on using the experiences of startups and applying their smart ideas and achievements to improve its performance.
He explained that the department is planning to use software and hardware simulation of fire incidents, using virtual reality and augmented reality, along with gamification of the critical situation in professional training courses held for firemen.
In a broader perspective, the department has decided to boost the effectiveness of training using cutting-edge technology.
"We also welcome technological ideas on upgrading the fire-extinguishing equipment currently used by our firemen," Davari said.
Heat-resistant clothes, helmets, gloves, stairwells, water pumps, fire-extinguishing chemicals and hoses are among the tools commonly used by firemen.
