This article covers the topic of utilizing UAS for firefighting and search-and-rescue. Funding is an issue, but there continues to be support advocating the future use of UAS for preliminary fire assessment or police work regarding crime scene mapping. Benefits for the cost savings and overall increased efficiency compared to traditional methods still require additional study. The Clark City Fire Department is teaming up with "… UNLV, Praxis Aerospace Concepts, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the U.S. Geological Survey [USGS] to propose and design a study on how drones could be used in fire response and emergency management” (Rothberg, 2016, para. 8). The USGS is already using small drones for forestry service and monitoring, and this experience could be leveraged for other applications for fire fighting and search-and-rescue (“National Unmanned,” 2016). It will be interesting how the research can justify the use of UAS for firefighting and police work. It may not completely replace manned ground or air operations, but supplement activities when quick response is required for overhead view of a scene or dangerous area that is not practical for manned operations.

     The Clark City Fire Department is struggling is to find funding from within the current operations budget, not only to push forward the research, but ultimately operational deployment. There are additional cost for purchase of UAS airframe and Equipment, along with the development of training programs and operating procedures. The Clark County fire department is stressing the point that UAS will not be used for surveillance, "… but to use the UAS … to better address our needs with respect to fires, suppression of fires, hazardous material incidents and safety challenges during incidents” (Rothberg, 2016, para. 19). This is important issue to address through public relations outreach, to ensure the people living in the local areas where UAS operations may occur understand police and fire department regulations and limitations. UAS flights for public service will face an adjustment period, while public opinion is swayed to support this new resource. UAS can be useful tool to aid police and firefighters, where they may not have an aerial view as quickly if waiting for a manned helicopter, or potentially expendable resource for dangerous assessment activities.

 

                                                                                References

Rothberg, D. (2016). Are Drones the First Responders of the Future? Retrieved from http://www.govtech.com/fs/Are-Drones-the-First-Responders-of-the-Future.html

National Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Project Office. (2016). U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Retrieved from http://rmgsc.cr.usgs.gov/uas/

Article: Are Drones the First Responders of the Future?

Link: http://www.govtech.com/fs/Are-Drones-the-First-Responders-of-the-Future.html

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