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August 14, 2019
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New York State Preparedness Training Center Hosts Second Annual UAS SummitUnmanned Aircraft System – or ‘Drone’ – Experts from Across the Nation Join with First Responders to Discuss Emerging Industry Trends and Participate in UAS-Related Exercises |
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The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services today announced that the State’s Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany hosted its second annual Public Safety Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Summit this week. The event brought together local, state, federal and international officials to share information, best practices, and lessons learned with regards to the use of UAS – or ‘drone’ - technology to support public safety missions. The two-day summit included discussion on a broad spectrum of topics related to UAS usage and public safety, as well as a ‘skills day’ in which participants competed in training scenarios designed to test piloting and usage abilities.
New York’s Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Patrick Murphy said, “As unmanned aircraft systems become more and more prevalent in our society, it’s important we train our first responders to understand how they are used, not only during emergencies, but also in coordination with other responding agencies. This Summit provides a unique venue at the State Preparedness Training Center, as well as expert trainers, to ensure that New York is on the forefront of understanding and utilizing this technology.”
The summit highlighted a variety of UAS-related issues, including the December 2018 drone sightings near an airport in the United Kingdom, updates from the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Alliance, federal counter-UAS initiatives, and a panel discussion highlighting local government agencies’ UAS efforts.
The 2019 Summit also featured the inaugural Public Safety Drone Skills Day which brought public safety efforts from across the State together to compete in advanced, hands-on training scenarios. Training lanes included obstacles courses, maritime support, urban and woodland search and rescue, indoor flight, and alternative take-off and landing. Staff from Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Department of Environmental Conservation, and the State Police closely monitored and controlled all exercise activities to ensure an engaging and productive experience.
State participants included:
Local government participants attended on behalf of:
Additional participants represented:
About the State Preparedness Training Center The State Preparedness Training Center operated by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, affords state, local, and federal agencies a complex of training venues to conduct the entire spectrum of training. From classroom lectures and discussions to reality- and high-performance scenario-based training, the SPTC offers opportunities for dynamic emergency first responder training. The SPTC offers agencies realistic training environments such as a simulated city, residential housing complex, collapsed building rubble pile, woodland structures and other settings. Now in its 13th year of operation, the SPTC annually trains thousands of New York’s first responders, including law enforcement, emergency medical services, and emergency management personnel, in a variety of areas including response to active shooter events, emergency vehicle operations, EMS special situations, and patrol officer survival.
About the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the Division’s Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov. |
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