2023 ANNUAL REPORT-FINAL

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EMERGENCY SERVICES

Special Operations (continued)

The UAS Team serves as a support asset for Fire/Rescue, Law Enforcement and Emergency Management. This response capability provides incident commanders with valuable information during large or complex incidents such as structure fires, wildland fires, mountain, trail and water rescues and hazardous materials incidents. With its advanced optics and thermal imaging capabilities, it is extremely beneficial in search operations for distressed or missing persons. The UAS Team can provide agencies with a better understanding of the nature, scale, and scope of an active incident or forecasted event to assist those agencies in planning and coordinating an effective response.

Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) program 2023 projects and accomplishments

• The purchase of a DVI Matrice 300 RTK. This aircraft includes improved optics consisting of a wide angle camera with 23x optical zoom lens, thermal imaging, and laser range finder capabilities. The Matrice also has increased flight time and lifting/delivery capabilities. • The team added three more licensed pilots for a total of 11 licensed pilots and began developing a Selection Process to add additional pilots in 2024.

• The team began revising and updating program specific policies and procedures.

• Though n ot yet “fully operational”, the UAS Team flew two SAR missions in 2023 ; the first mission was in support of the F rederick County Sheriff’s Office and the second mission was with Washington County Division of Emergency Services. The Team also executed numerous support and training flights for DFRS throughout the latter part of 2023.