Utilizing Drone Technology for Readiness and Emergency Assistance in Disaster Response Operations at UTHSC
This project aims to improve emergency preparedness and response at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis, Tennessee, by training selected UTHSC Police, Faculty, and Staff using drones. This project, will use a community-centered model to promote awareness, education, and safety coordination for responding to emergencies.
Evidence of Need
Natural disasters and local emergencies are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, with Tennessee experiencing 14 weather and climate disaster events in 2020 alone, resulting in losses exceeding $1 billion. Additionally, UTHSC is located in an area that has historically experienced high levels of crime and violence. There is a critical need for a comprehensive emergency response plan at UTHSC that can address these challenges.
Drone technology can assist readiness and emergency assistance in disaster response operations at UTHSC in several ways. Firstly, drones can be used to gather real-time aerial imagery of affected areas, allowing emergency responders to quickly assess the extent of the damage and identify any potential hazards. This can help in prioritizing response efforts and deploying resources more effectively. Secondly, drones can be used to deliver essential supplies to hard-to-reach areas that may be inaccessible by ground transport. Thirdly, drones can also provide situational awareness to first responders by providing live video feeds of affected areas, allowing emergency responders to make informed decisions on how to best allocate resources. Lastly, drone technology can assist in search and rescue operations by providing a bird’s-eye view of affected areas, enabling responders to quickly locate and reach people in need. The use of drone technology can significantly enhance UTHSC’s readiness and emergency assistance in disaster response operations by providing timely and critical assistance, improving situational awareness, and reducing response times.
Objectives
- To train selected UTHSC Police, Faculty, and Staff in emergency preparedness and response using drones.
- To develop a comprehensive emergency response plan for UTHSC using drones.
- To promote awareness and education in emergency preparedness and response at UTHSC.
- To engage traditionally underrepresented populations, including minority groups and individuals with disabilities, in emergency preparedness and response training.
- To involve medically underserved areas, such as low-income neighborhoods and rural communities, in emergency preparedness and response training.
The objectives: promoting awareness, education, and training in emergency preparedness and response, engaging traditionally underrepresented populations, and involving medically underserved areas. Additionally, the objectives focus on establishing partnerships with local emergency response agencies and evaluating the effectiveness of the training.
Target Audience
The target audience for this project includes UTHSC Police, Faculty, and Staff. The project will engage traditionally underrepresented populations, including minority groups and individuals with disabilities, as these populations may be disproportionately affected by natural disasters and local emergencies. Additionally, the project will involve medically underserved areas, such as low-income neighborhoods and rural communities, by providing access to education and training resources that can improve emergency preparedness and response in these areas.
Participation in this program does not necessitate the use of drones in the vicinity of the campus. A program like this can be used to support the Memphis community in other areas where drone use may be feasible. A robust training program would help ensure that participants are aware of requirements for drone use as well as prohibitions, thereby promoting the safe and compliant use of this equipment in the event of natural disaster or emergency incident.
Training Program
The training program will include various modes such as webinars, classroom lectures, online classes, and Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) Remote Pilot Certificate training and certification exams.
For More Information:
Dr. Sajeesh Kumar, PhD, FAMIA, FAAO
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