The ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation has donated more than CZK 500,000 for a new drone for Bohemian Switzerland National Park. Equipped with thermal imaging technology, the drone will help detect emerging fires or hidden hotspots more quickly, even in areas that are difficult for people to access. The new addition will join the park’s existing fleet of two drones, helping firefighters intervene faster and more effectively.
The extensive wildfires that affected Bohemian Switzerland in recent years highlighted the importance of detecting fires as early as possible. In the park’s rugged and hard-to-reach terrain, the thermal imaging drone will be able to identify hidden hotspots and quickly provide firefighters with precise information about the location of a fire. The docking station will be placed in a remote area of the park without access to the power grid. A solar panel, high-capacity battery, and backup generator will ensure continuous operation even in less favorable weather conditions.
“Protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of the region where we have operated for many years are important priorities for us. The drone system represents a meaningful use of modern technology that can significantly reduce the time needed to detect a developing fire and facilitate the work of emergency response units. We are therefore pleased to contribute to its acquisition and support the protection of the unique landscape of Bohemian Switzerland,” says Milan Brejchal, a member of the Board of Directors of ORLEN Unipetrol.
The symbolic cheque was presented on Thursday, 1 October, at Mezní Louka to representatives of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park Administration, in the presence of Minister of the Environment Igor Červený and representatives of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group. The contribution will cover almost the entire cost of purchasing the drone and will expand the park’s current fleet from two to three aircraft.
Environmental protection has long been one of the key areas of focus for the ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation, particularly in the Ústí nad Labem Region. The new drone represents concrete support that will contribute to the protection of Bohemian Switzerland’s natural environment and help those responding to emergency situations.
“Bohemian Switzerland is an exceptional place, and we are delighted to contribute to its protection. The new drone will help park staff and firefighters identify risks earlier and respond more quickly. We believe that projects like this make a real difference and provide practical help where it is truly needed,” adds Lucie Pražáková, Director of the ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation.
ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation
The ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation launched its activities in 2017. Its primary mission is to support education and popularise science, primarily natural sciences and technical disciplines, as well as corporate social responsibility, emphasising local communities and the environment. The Foundation has long been engaged in supporting schools, teachers, and students with grant programmes. The educational project, ‚Plastík a jeho kouzelný kufřík‘, provides schoolchildren from the first to the fifth grade with an excursion into the world of chemistry through entertaining experiments. Educational support and the associated Foundation’s activities gave rise to many educational materials and outputs in the form of tutorials available at
www.nouonline.cz. Beginning in 2024, the Foundation is also committed to corporate social responsibility related to the environment, support of local communities, and volunteering. Such activities include championing volunteer and community projects, fundraising, fish releases into rivers, nesting of endangered peregrine falcons, and beekeeping. The Foundation cooperates with many non-profit organisations on a long-term basis but also reacts to current events in society and emergencies. More information about the ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation’s mission and other activities is available at
www.nadaceorlenunipetrol.cz.
Contact details:
Lucie Pražáková, director of the ORLEN Unipetrol Foundation
Telephone: +420 736 506 939