Open Rescue : When Artificial Intelligence Supports Emergency Services

Faced with a rise in disappearances, artificial intelligence is joining firefighters on the front lines. Tested by SDIS 29, the Open Rescue solution demonstrates how technology can speed up searches and enhance the safety of emergency operations.

Each year, French emergency services face a major challenge: quickly locating missing persons. With a sharply rising national average (+34% according to Civil Security), these operations are becoming increasingly frequent, complex, and critical.

It’s in this context that Open Rescue was born, an artificial intelligence solution developed to assist teams in their search efforts, notably through the automated analysis of drone-captured images.

But no technology, however promising, can be validated without real-world testing. There is a world of difference between a promising algorithm and an operational application: the world of the field, real constraints, and unforeseen emergencies.

To take this step, a key player agreed to participate in the experimentation: SDIS 29. 

Thanks to a series of tests carried out under near-real conditions, Open Rescue was able to refine its capabilities… and convince a strategic partner: Midgard.

This article looks back on an innovative collaboration, highlighted by discussions with Lieutenant Colonel Pascal PITOR, who led the trials on the SDIS 29 side.

SDIS 29 : A Committed Experimental Partner

Based in Finistère (in France), SDIS 29 conducts nearly 1,488 drone flights per year (DGAC Declaration, 2025), which amounts to an average of two missing person cases every two weeks. This frequency makes it an essential and highly skilled field operator.

"The experiments consisted of missing person search exercises conducted under conditions very close to real operational scenarios, with our canine teams. Some scenarios were carried out with AI support, others without, in order to objectively compare the results. The conclusions are particularly promising." — Lt. Col. Pascal PITOR, SDIS 29

This operational pressure highlights a pressing need: innovative tools, trained personnel, and above all… additional funding.

Artificial Intelligence Supporting Field Teams

In this context, the AI solution offered by Open Rescue proved to be particularly relevant.

"The solution proved capable of adapting to the constraints and unforeseen events of the field, providing analysis free from cognitive biases, which is a decisive advantage. One of the most significant episodes occurred when the remote pilot spontaneously associated the term ‘shooter’ with the image of a ‘sniper’ lying on a roof, and failed to identify the actual presence of an individual curled up in the corner of a parapet. The artificial intelligence, on the other hand, was able to overcome this limitation inherent to human perception." — Lt. Col. Pascal PITOR, SDIS 29

Far from replacing humans, AI enhances their capabilities: rapid processing of large volumes of images, absence of bias, and increased reliability. It’s also particularly useful in urban areas for analyzing visual clues (bags, clothing, objects) and can even contribute to the legal traceability of certain decisions.

"Among the major strengths of this technology, it is worth highlighting its ability to rapidly process large volumes of information, its absence of bias, and its reliability in detecting elements that might escape the human eye. Nevertheless, there remain areas for improvement, particularly in terms of ergonomics, contextual interpretation, and the development of new features tailored to the operational needs of emergency services." — Lt. Col. Pascal PITOR, SDIS 29

From Experimentation to Strategic Collaboration

Following the very positive feedback from tests conducted with SDIS 29, Open Rescue was able to enter a new phase of its development: a strategic partnership with the company MidGard.

MidGard, specializing in the integration of high-value technological solutions for civil security, sees this collaboration as an opportunity to support the scaling up of a solution that has proven its effectiveness in the field.

A Shared Vision, Focused on the Future

This partnership is now formalized with the official signing of a contract between Open Rescue and MidGard, validated by field feedback and the shared conviction that innovation must serve the men and women who save lives.

"It allows us to surpass our own cognitive limits, revealing what we should have perceived but were prevented from seeing by our mental representations." — Lt. Col. Pascal PITOR, SDIS 29

And this is only the beginning : Open Rescue was presented at the MidGard User Club 2025 on April 23–24, to kickstart a collective initiative around AI in support of emergency services.

"We expect this solution to support future generations of firefighters, enhancing their efficiency, safety, and judgment during complex operations." — Lt. Col. Pascal PITOR, SDIS 29

Conclusion: Technology in the Service of Humanity

Open Rescue perfectly illustrates what an intelligent alliance between technology, field expertise, and industrial commitment can achieve.

"Artificial intelligence does not replace humans, but provides valuable support, aimed at enhancing collective performance and saving lives." — Lt. Col. Pascal PITOR, SDIS 29

The journey is just beginning… and there is still so much to build with Open Rescue to best support those who save lives every day.

To learn more about Open Rescue and our missions, explore our other news or contact us.