02.10.2007 - The RMK electronic fire surveillance system covers 1750 km² of Estonia’s forests 29.09
On 28 September, the German company IQ Wireless GmbH handed over to the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) an electronic fire surveillance system unique in Estonia, its software compares changes in digital images and allows for the detection of forest fires in their initial stage.
The surveillance system is comprised of 5 surveillance stations, where cameras are placed on top of the communications towers of EMT, Elisa and Elion. The working radius of the camera, with its 360º rotation, is 20 km, and it detects a fire with an accuracy of 10-20 metres.
There is always a specially trained RMK employee on duty in the surveillance centre, located in the RMK Piirsalu forest district building, who will operationally inform the Rescue Board when a fire is discovered.
“The installed system helps to save Estonia’s forests and to save on costs in fighting fires. In 2006, the Rescue Board spent over MEEK 20 on fighting forest fires, added to which is the damage caused to the environment and the owners,” said RMK Management Board Member Olav Etverk.
The electronic fire surveillance system was installed in August; configuration and the training of operators took place in September. The construction of the electronic fire surveillance system was supported by the Environmental Investments Centre (KIK) with MEEK 4.66, the own participation of RMK was MEEK 3.34.
“The entire project went very smoothly. Both the German supplier of the equipment and the company who installed it, Telebox, did great work,” assured RMK project coordinator Vaike Pommer. “Thanks to good teamwork, we managed to complete a project that was planned for a period of two years, in one year. The representatives of the German side said that of their 35 surveillance projects, this one had the fastest start.”
RMK is a profit-making state agency, formed
pursuant to the Forest Act, whose main objective is the effective and
sustainable management of the state forest. RMK grows reforestation
material, arranges forest works, organises the sale of forest and
timber, and organises game maintenance. In addition, RMK creates
possibilities for nature hiking and forest holidays in recreational
areas, and shapes nature awareness. RMK manages 38% of Estonia’s
forests.
Since 2002, RMK has held the ISO 14001 certificate and the FSC’s
sustainable forestry management certificate. For the first time in
Estonia, RMK received an extension of the FSC certificate until 2012.
Additional information:
Vaike Pommer
Senior Consultant of the RMK Development and Consulting Department and project coordinator
GSM +372 514 3838
vaike.pommer
rmk.ee
Elina Kink
Head of the RMK Communications Department
GSM +372 511 0033
elina.kinkrmk.ee
