SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research (NUAIR) says it has helped more than 25 state, county, and local municipality emergency responders to implement UAS programs, “enhancing their operations and helping save lives.”
On that front, NUAIR announced it has partnered with DroneResponders, a Miami Beach, Florida–based nonprofit program supporting the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) — commonly referred to as drones — by public safety and emergency services professionals.
The new partnership will “enhance” UAS educational services and training programs for public safety organizations, NUAIR said in a news release.
Syracuse–based NUAIR is short for Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research. The nonprofit focuses on UAS operations, aeronautical research, safety management, and consulting services.
A UAS includes a drone and equipment used to control its flight. A drone is also referred to in the industry as an unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV.
Public-safety organizations are “quickly realizing the life-saving potential” of drones, NUAIR said.
Search and rescue; situational awareness/live streaming; and reconnaissance are the top three UAS missions ranked in order of importance, according to public safety UAS professionals. The lack of educational activities, training, programs and awareness of useful drone technology are some of the key issues NUAIR and DroneResponders plan on addressing in their new partnership.
This new partnership complements NUAIR’s “NYFLY” program — a New York UAS public-private partnership program being developed to spur the adoption of UAS into state and local government operations to help solve problems and increase effectiveness and efficiency of operations.
The NYFLY program is open to all New York State agencies looking to enhance their operations. The agencies include public safety, the energy sector (powerline, pipeline, windmill inspections), and environmental conservation.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com