The Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition (EDRC) is partnering with Airborne International Response Team (AIRT), which will result in AIRT producing the DroneResponders Emergency Management and Disaster Forum.
First Responders
First Responders
NDDOT, Northern Plains UAS Test Site to use UAS for emergency response efforts during spring floods
In advance of potential floods this spring, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) are joining forces to help improve and supplement their current UAS program.
“We are very excited for this partnership and what it means for our UAS program and the state of North Dakota,” says NDDOT Director Bill Panos. “This imagery will provide us with valuable information and give us a new prospective on flooding.”
To enhance emergency response to flooding across the state, UAS will be used to capture photo and video for NDDOT. NPUASTS will use its own resource and local vendors to accomplish the emergency response efforts.
Airborne Incident Response Team, APD Humanitario launch Latin America rendition of DroneResponders
During a week-long workshop for emergency services professionals that took place from January 21-25 in Bogota, Colombia, Airborne Incident Response Team (AIRT) and APD Humanitario officially unveiled DroneResponders Latin America, a Spanish language-based initiative to facilitate UAS for good.
Representatives from Colombia’s premier emergency services organizations were present during the official launch of DroneResponders in Colombia, including Civil Defense Colombia, Firefighters Colombia, and The Colombian Red Cross.
UK's Maritime & Coastguard Agency to explore how UAS can help make lifesaving missions safer
A new project in the United Kingdom will explore if UAS could “boost missions” by visiting rescue sites ahead of air, sea or land based recovery teams, and provide a full picture of the situation to help develop the appropriate response.
The project, which was announced by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), will also examine how current regulation can be developed to unlock the potential of UAS, and help those in distress on the UK’s coastline by making rescues safer and more efficient.
Schiebel's Camcopter S-100 UAS provides situational information during toxic pollution crisis in Malaysia
During the Kim Kim river toxic pollution crisis in Malaysia last year, Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 UAS was used to provide critical situational information, the company has announced.
Last March, more than two tons of illegal chemical waste were dumped in the Kim Kim river, which is located near Johor Malaysia, the largest industrial area in the South of Malaysia. This resulted in toxic fumes being released throughout the adjoining area, which impacted more than 6,000 people, resulting in many being hospitalized, and several schools being closed.
Swift Tactical Systems to launch comprehensive UAS program in Bahamas following contract award
Following a multi-agency selection process that saw it beat out 25 other companies, Swift Engineering subsidiary Swift Tactical Systems has been awarded a $17 million contract to launch a comprehensive UAS program for the Bahamas government agencies and ministries.
55 short and medium-range UAS will be purchased for the multi-agency UAS program. Immediate surveillance capabilities will be available, training and support will be provided, and a regional UAS academy will be established as part of the program.
The UAS will be available for use by all law enforcement agencies, immigration and customs, corrections facilities, and the military for a variety of activities.
University of Louisiana Monroe team trains Louisiana law enforcement and first responders in UAS tech
A team from the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) Precision AG and UAS Research Center recently provided UAS training to a select group of Louisiana law enforcement, firefighters and first responders.
The training class was led by Paul Karlowitz, who has been teaching about aviation and UAS technology in the College of Business and Social Sciences for more than 20 years at ULM. Karlowitz helped establish and became director of operations for the ULM Precision AG and UAS Research Center in 2014.
