Broome County (N.Y.) has launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) team, a collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and Office of Emergency Services. Funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the UAV program includes six pilots, three from each department, according to a county release.
The team was designed to assist with search and rescues, missing persons cases, accident reconstruction, and more. Drones will be used to support public safety, for Department of Public Works missions, and to provide damage assessment following disasters.
The fleet consists of six small drones as well as one medium and one large one. They can fly up to 50 mph and must be operated within a pilot’s vision, WICZ reported.
