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Serving those who serve: How smart Hikvision cameras support mountain rescue work in Poland
High in Poland's Karkonosze Mountains, where weather changes in minutes and terrain challenges even experienced hikers, the local rescue team completed 592 operations in 2024 alone. By installing Hikvision cameras at strategic locations, the team now monitors distant trails in real time, responds faster to emergencies, and provides tourists with live weather updates.
Covering an extensive area of steep ridges, deep valleys, and exposed clearings, Karkonosze Mountain Rescue Group (GOPR) operates across terrain where conditions shift rapidly and landscape presents constant obstacles. In 2024, the team spent over 200 hours responding to emergencies. Falls accounted for 43 incidents, 11 situations involvedS dangerous cold exposure, and 5 people became lost in the vast terrain.
"We needed better ways to monitor the areas where tourists gather and where accidents happen most frequently," explains Adam Tkocz, the Head of GOPR. "Without precise information about locations and conditions, our operations took longer than necessary, and we couldn't always prepare effectively for known danger zones."
The rescue group recognized that modern mountain safety required modern tools. While they had begun using a thermal-equipped drone the previous year, they needed comprehensive coverage of key locations, real-time situational awareness, and the ability to respond faster when minutes matter most.
The solution centers on the strategic installation of specialized cameras within the Karkonosze National Park—near the Dom Śląski and Strzecha Akademicka mountain huts, as well as on the summit of Śnieżka. Each location received equipment tailored to its specific monitoring tasks.
Eight 4 MP AcuSense Varifocal Bullet Network Cameras (DS-2CD3646G2-IZS) now watch over critical trails and dangerous areas. The AcuSense technology uses deep learning algorithms to distinguish between people and vehicles versus other moving objects. This dramatically reduces false alarms from animals, falling branches, or blowing snow. Their long-range lenses can observe distant trails and a hazardous gully where winter accidents frequently occur. Built to withstand extreme weather conditions, the cameras feature IP66 water and dust resistance and an IK10 vandal-resistant housing.
At the lodge Dom Śląski, two 4MP 42X DarkFighter IR Network Speed Dome Cameras (DS-2DF8A442IXS) provide dynamic monitoring capabilities. With 42× optical zoom and 16× digital zoom, these cameras can survey expansive areas then quickly focus on specific situations. They use infrared with a range of up to 500 meters, which gives them clear vision across the terrain, even at night. Their DarkFighter technology, meanwhile, ensures performance even in challenging lighting, while IP67 and IK10 ratings protect against mountain conditions.
Supporting this network, six SSD NVRs (DS-E04NI-Q1/4P) operate from GOPR's monitoring station in Jelenia Góra. These use Hikvision’s next generation eSSD design which embeds the SSD into the NVR itself. This makes the entire device design more compact, eliminates the need for installing separate hard disks, and simplifies maintenance. Their low power consumption and high stability deliver eco-friendly storage that meets the demands of continuous mountain monitoring.
The iVMS-4200 software ties everything together, giving GOPR unified management of their entire camera network from both mountain locations and their command station. The platform allows operators to view multiple camera feeds simultaneously, manage recordings efficiently, and coordinate responses from a single interface that streamlines emergency operations.
The impact on GOPR's operations has been substantial. Real-time visibility across the vast mountain terrain means rescue teams can now assess situations before they arrive on scene. The powerful zoom capabilities let them observe specific trail sections and danger zones, building accurate pictures of emergencies as they unfold.
"The cameras help us determine how many people need assistance instead of working from incomplete reports," notes Mr. Tkocz. "This precision enables us to make smarter use of our resources, and to shorten each operation. We can also evaluate weather and hazards in real time, which improves safety for our teams and the tourists we serve."
The system strengthens prevention as well as response. By monitoring accident-prone locations, especially during winter when conditions become most dangerous, GOPR can identify emerging problems and intervene earlier. Thanks to the reduction in false alarms, the team now focuses attention where it truly matters.
Beyond emergency response, several cameras stream online, giving hikers access to current weather conditions in higher elevations. This information helps tourists make informed decisions before heading into challenging terrain, adding another layer of preventive safety to the mountains.
The Karkonosze Mountain Rescue Group's deployment of Hikvision cameras represents technology fulfilling its highest purpose: protecting human life. By combining intelligent cameras and centralized management, GOPR has transformed their ability to watch over one of Poland's most beautiful and demanding landscapes. As rescue operations continue saving lives across the peaks and valleys, this system stands as proof that technology and dedication together create safer mountains for everyone. "This isn't just about equipment," reflects Mr. Tkocz. "It's about giving us the tools to do our job better and bring people home safely.
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