Saturday, May 6, 2023

'ASSUREd': UAS & first responders

Emergency first responders are becoming proficient and effective in piloting small uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones) with the aid of two Mississippi State University-based research divisions. 

Nine agencies across three states recently sent their first responders to MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory for an intensive, hands-on training program in partnership with the MSU-led Alliance of System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

Dubbed “ASSUREd Safe,” the UAS education initiative includes six ASSURE-member universities - MSU, Kansas State, New Mexico State, North Dakota, Vermont and Sinclair College - that will each lead two trainings this year and three in 2024 for a total of 36 overall. 

“UAS technology has the power to save lives,” said Raspet Flight Lab Director Rob Premo. “This training is an investment in our first responder community, ensuring they are well-equipped to respond to hazardous or dangerous situations and improving their safety and effectiveness when called to action.”  

To increase access to UAS education, the courses are offered free to first responders. 

The courses include Introduction to UAS Flight Operations for Emergency Response and Introduction to UAS Data Analytics for Emergency Response. 

ASSUREd Safe is already working to expand its curriculum portfolio to include courses relevant to the first-responder community - law enforcement, firefighters and emergency management. (Magnolia State 05/06/23) The power to save lives: Mississippi university training first responders in unmanned flight technology - Magnolia State Live | Magnolia State Live

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