MOBOTIX AllroundMono and DualDome cameras monitor remote areas in Iceland for Department of Civil Protection

The AllroundMono was a practical choice due to its panoramic lens

MOBOTIX cameras have also been installed in dangerous places such as around active volcanoes

Charged with the vital task of safeguarding the well-being of the citizens of Iceland, the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management is also responsible for ensuring that property, people and the environment are looked after during natural or man-made disasters, pandemics and military action. This challenging work requires constant vigilance and preparation, as well as dedication from committed staff.

To better enable employees of the Department of Civil Protection to carry out their jobs to the high standard that is required, The National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police needs the very best equipment. Following the advice given by Securitas Iceland the Civil Protection System tasked MogT with the installation of MOBOTIX AllroundMono and DualDome cameras in some of the most remote places in Iceland.

Why use cameras?

Iceland is full of beautiful, unspoiled landscapes, many of which are isolated and rather inaccessible. Having someone there full time is a practical impossibility, but by installing cameras in places such as the largest glacier in Europe, the employees at the Department of Civil Protection are better able to monitor the various natural forces which may impact the population.

Cameras have also been installed in dangerous places such as around active volcanoes. Places like these need to be monitored at all times, and thanks to the MOBOTIX cameras, the staff can watch the geothermal activities without putting themselves in harms way.

Power consumption and safety concerns

In these very remote areas, electricity isn’t always readily available, so it was vital to the Department of Civil Protection that the cameras installed use as little power as possible.

"We need to monitor natural hazards, including flash floods and volcanic eruptions," said Björn Oddsson, a geophysicist and project manager, "The high risk natural hazards happen in remote places, and getting power to monitoring cameras can be a real issue."

A robust and flexible solution

Securitas Iceland recommended using two MOBOTIX cameras – the MOBOTIX AllroundMono and the DualDome.

The employees at the Department of Civil Protection are better able to monitor the various natural forces

The DualDome camera can monitor two areas at the same time

The AllroundMono was a practical choice in this instance due to its panoramic lens. This meant that fewer cameras needed to be installed – ideal when power supply is limited. The robust, weatherproof shell was also perfect for the Icelandic geography with its ability to withstand extreme temperatures between -30 to +60 °C (-22 to +140 °F).

The DualDome camera copes equally well with the extreme Icelandic temperatures, and the dual dome casing means that this camera can monitor two areas at the same time – for example, the wider landscape, and a specific point which may need special study.

Both cameras could be powered by solar cells and geothermic generators, fitting the brief for low electricity consumption.

Following the installation of the cameras by MogT, the employees at the Department of Civil Protection are now able to switch between still images and video, depending on the situation, keeping the power requirements of the cameras low. Björn Oddsson goes on to say that, "Primarily we use the still images function to monitor what’s going on, but there is the possibility to stream videos if we need to."

The flexibility of this function means that the Department of Civil Protection can keep a watchful eye over the day-to-day activities of their sites, without having to use nearly as much power as constant streaming requires. The option to stream, however, is a vital feature and means that should something unexpected happen, the Department of Civil Protection can quickly get a detailed overview of what is happening.

The future of cameras within the department of civil protection

So far, the cameras have made monitoring possible in various remote parts of Iceland. With the addition of further cameras, the Department of Civil Protection can increase the number of monitored areas.

"We are very satisfied with the MOBOTIX cameras, and we look forward to installing more in remote places in Iceland," concludes Björn Oddsson.

MOBOTIX AllroundMono & DualDome at a glance