The Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM) is proud to share that our abstract, "Innovative Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for Emergency Medical Teams: A New Era of Agile and Life-saving Medical Interventions", was published in the journal Prehospital and Disaster Medicine (May 2025).
First presented at the World Health Organization’s 6th Emergency Medical Teams Global Meeting in 2024, this work highlights a transformative approach to emergency medical response using unmanned aircraft systems.
The publication underscores the growing role of UAS in enhancing the speed, reach, and efficiency of emergency medical teams, particularly in mass casualty incidents and hard-to-reach environments. By enabling real-time surveillance, rapid delivery of medical supplies, and remote telemedicine support, unmanned aircraft systems are redefining how we respond to crises.
The OSCM study explores how unmanned aircraft systems can be integrated into existing emergency frameworks, addressing key challenges such as regulatory compliance, operational procedures, and the need for specialized training and infrastructure (through the OSCM category of unmanned aircraft systems/remotely piloted aircraft systems and airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance).
It also evaluates the use of unmanned aircraft systems in delivering pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and critical medical equipment, as well as supporting command and control operations.
One of the most compelling aspects of the research is the inclusion of real-world case studies, such as the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) pilot project. These examples demonstrate the practical application of unmanned aircraft systems in disaster relief, public health logistics, and emergency medical support.
The publication establishes key performance indicators to assess the effectiveness of unmanned aircraft systems deployments, offering a roadmap for future integration into emergency medical systems.
As unmanned aircraft systems technology continues to evolve, its potential to revolutionize emergency healthcare delivery becomes increasingly evident.
This recognition by a leading journal in the field not only validates our innovative approach but also positions us at the forefront of next generation emergency medical response.
We look forward to further exploring and expanding the use of unmanned aircraft systems to save lives when every second counts.
The Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM) is in the Department of Operational Support (DOS). Follow OSCM on LinkedIn. Read about DOS on iSeek or our website.
