2024 ANNUAL REPORT - Final

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EMERGENCY SERVICES

Special Operations (continued)

The UAS Team serves as a supporting 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. The Team also received a Letter of Commendation from Maryland State Police Homicide Unit for the assistance they provided in locating a missing person.

Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) program 2024 projects and accomplishments

• The team operates 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 developed a Selection Process to increase the numbers of certified pilots.

• The UAS Team flew several missions in 2024 in support of several significant incidents to include supporting law enforcement searches for missing persons, supporting FCDFRS operations on large scale structure fires, wildland fires and supporting Fire Marshal investigations.

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