The session will address the following:

• Importance of getting the right systems with the right capabilities for first responders

• Systems used by local communities being interoperable with systems supplied by state and federal disaster responders

• Knowing what systems and capabilities to stage in preparation for potential disasters

• Interoperability among and between disaster response agencies (EMS, fire, Police)

• Commonality and interoperability in training, maintenance and communications

As unmanned systems technologies have matured and are available for use by first responders,  AUVSI would like to facilitate the transition of these technologies (initially developed for the Department of Defense) to the first responder and public safety community.  Education and knowledge sharing will be key components in achieving the transition.

 

At its 2008 Annual Unmanned Systems North America Conference, AUVSI held a workshop to begin examining how to affect this transition.  Workshop panelists from the local Southern California First Responder community presented needs and impressions of how unmanned systems might help them do their jobs more effectively and safely.  In September of 2008, meetings were held with all Monterey Bay County Fire Chiefs, the County’s Homeland Security Coordinator, Director of the Office of Emergency Services, Director of American Medical Response, and the Second in Command Police Chiefs.  A presentation of Unmanned Vehicle Systems, and discussion took place, including the following questions:

 

• How would you use unmanned systems to reduce risk, save lives and make your job easier?

• How you would use unmanned systems in your area of responsibility?

• What past events could the use of unmanned systems enabled a better outcome?

• What kind of information and vehicles would be most valuable?

• How would you operate, maintain and conduct training on unmanned systems? 

 This USIC panel session will continue those discussions and expand them to include the following discussion points:

 

• The importance of getting the right systems with the right capabilities
• The importance of interoperability between the systems being used by local communities with the systems supplied by state and federal disaster responders
• A list of systems and capabilities to stage in preparation for potential disasters and how their deployment should be managed as a disaster develops
• Commonality and interoperability in training, maintenance and communications.