Blair County's Drone Program Set to Launch This Year

Blair County is poised to elevate its emergency response capabilities by launching a new drone program within the year.

 

The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) recently allocated an additional $10,000 to the initiative, bringing the total funds to the necessary $65,000 for acquiring two drones.

 

This financial milestone was achieved through generous contributions, including a $35,000 donation from Chemstream and a $15,000 grant from Norfolk Southern's Safety First program.

 

According to Cris Fredrickson, the county's new Emergency Management head, the committee had previously set aside $15,000 for equipment maintenance.

 

Despite reaching the funding goal, efforts to secure additional grants and donations will continue to ensure the program's sustainability.

 

To guarantee the program's effectiveness, the LEPC has also committed to covering the costs of operator training.

 

Currently, the county boasts a certified drone operator, with several fire departments following suit.

 

Other agencies, such as the Logan Township Police Department, are planning training regimens for their officers.

 

Environmental scientist and businessman Tim Rea, newly appointed vice chairman of the committee, emphasized the necessity of having teams of at least three for drone operations.

 

Altoona Fire Chief Adam Free highlighted the importance of having a sufficient number of operators available when needed.

 

Fredrickson and committee Chairwoman Karen Hamel noted that having approximately ten operators distributed throughout the county would be ideal.

 

Drones equipped with video, heat sensors, lights, and loudspeakers can be instrumental in various scenarios.

 

They can assist in locating missing persons, monitoring flooding, overseeing large events, managing traffic congestion, and planning firefighting strategies for large buildings.

 

Additionally, drones can inspect hard-to-reach areas in buildings, aid in environmental analyses, and survey agricultural fields.

 

Former county Public Safety Director Mark Taylor previously stated that drones can be utilized by police and fire departments, ambulance services, and hazmat operations.

 

As Blair County moves forward with this initiative, the integration of drone technology is expected to significantly enhance public safety and emergency response efforts.