A University of Nebraska–Lincoln startup company called Drone Amplified has taken a unique approach to fight fires.
The company has developed drone-mounted technology that carries chemical spheres the size of pingpong balls, which drop and ignite at the press of a button to intentionally spark small fires that burn vegetation and starve incoming wildfires of potential fuel.
“Our product fills a niche in the market between a helicopter, which is expensive, and hand lighting, where people have to walk or take a four-wheeler,” explains Jim Higgins, chief engineer and Nebraska alumnus.
First Responders
First Responders
Disaster responders use EMILY USV to provide aid in Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian
Following Hurricane Dorian’s destruction in the Bahamas last month, disaster responders used the Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard (EMILY) robotic lifeguard to provide islanders with medical care and supplies.
The remote-controlled USV is equipped with high-definition sonar and sophisticated sensors, which revealed underwater debris that could cause navigational hazards. Disaster responders were also able to map a safe passage through Marsh Harbor— a town in Abaco Islands, Bahamas—using the vehicle’s specialized software.
Within just two hours, the USV was ashore distributing critical supplies, and over the course of a week, EMILY mapped more channels in other storm-ravaged areas of the Bahamas.
FLIR Systems introduces multi-gas detector for UAS
FLIR Systems has introduced the FLIR MUVE C360, which the company describes as the industry’s first multi-gas detector built specifically for UAS.
Currently compatible with the DJI Matrice 210 UAS platform, the MUVE C360 is designed to change the approach of emergency response teams when they are dealing with chemical, industrial, or environmental incidents by providing a new level of safety, significantly reducing time to action, and delivering a more complete assessment in situations where time is of the essence.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approves Public Safety small UAS program
On Tuesday, May 21, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a Public Safety small UAS program in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Alpha Unmanned Systems' Alpha 800 selected as UAS platform for H2020 ResponDrone Project
Alpha Unmanned Systems has announced that its Alpha 800 has been selected as the UAS platform for the European Union's three year €8.3 Million H2020 ResponDrone Project.
According to Alpha, the Alpha 800 will be used to demonstrate how multi-UAS operation can deliver high value data and services for first responders following a disaster.
The project, which kicked off on Monday, May 20 in Madrid, Spain, is made up of 20 companies—including Thales, IAI and DLR—from 12 countries. Alpha says that it will manage all flights and systems integration into both the Alpha 800s and the cloud-based data analysis platforms.
More than 500 students in New York State trained in use of UAS for public safety operations
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that more than 500 students have been trained in the use of UAS for public safety operations at the State Preparedness Training Center in Oneida County, New York.
This milestone was reached in April during the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ UAS Awareness workshop, which is one of four courses offered on UAS operations. The other courses offered are the UAS Part 107 Preparation Course, the UAS Basic Operator Course, and the UAS Advanced Operator Course.
The courses are designed to help educate public safety officials and first responders on how to integrate UAS into their public safety operations.
Triangle UAS launches UAS-mounted real-time video streaming system
During the 2019 Smart Cities Connect Conference & Expo, a North Carolina-based UAS services and technology provider called Triangle UAS LLC launched its UAS-mounted real-time video streaming system, which is designed to enhance situational awareness during disaster/accident response, search and rescue, and law enforcement events.
According to Triangle UAS, the streaming system will give first responders, public safety officials, and smart cities a “cost-effective, easy-to-use method” of providing real-time video streaming from an aerial UAS to remote operators or an emergency operations center through a secure internet connection.
DJI partners with Los Angeles Fire Department to advance UAS tech for public safety purposes
In an effort to create, test and deploy its UAS technology as an emergency response and preparedness tool, DJI has announced a Solution Development Partnership with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
Through the partnership, DJI will provide the LAFD with access to new technologies, training and support, so that the agency can utilize UAS technology as part of its operations.
