The Salem City Council Monday approved the Salem Emergency Management Agency beginning a drone program. However, they will have to have their policies and procedures approved first by the city manager and city attorney.
The Assistant Director of the Salem Emergency Management Agency, Andrew Strong, says donations and pledges have been collected for the $2,000 starter drone kit. He reports it will allow for high-resolution photography and lighting for a scene at night.
“Drone can fly over an area very fast and do the work that would take multiple people many hours. So the drone is a quick tool to assess the situation whether it be a large commercial fire in a building, a natural disaster, a missing person in a section of town, or the unfortunate event of an active shooter situation. The drone is used to decrease the amount of first responders put in a dangerous situation.”
In answer to concerns about privacy, Strong says the drone will only fly when requested by an emergency response agency.
“There are policies and procedures these programs have to follow. The FAA governs these programs and we have to meet a lot of criteria and call them when we are called out to stuff. This is not a drone to fly over town and look for something bad going on. This is only used in emergency situations.”
But Strong told the council if they are flying and see something like a fight taking place in a field they are obligated to report the unlawful activity.
Strong says once they get some success stories under their belt, they can grow from there and potentially work their way up to a thermal imaging drone that can cost from $6,000 to $40,000. He said future costs could also be raised through donations or grants.
Strong hopes to have all the certifications in place so they are ready to launch the program by the end of the year.
Salem Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Terry Mulvany says the drones are being utilized more and more by emergency management agencies.
The other plus is potentially attracting new members who would like to work with the drone program.
In other action, the city council approved an $11,681 bid from Fabick to purchase a remanufactured radiator with installation to a generator at the water treatment plant. The current radiator is leaking.
The council concurred with the Planning Commission in allowing ATVs and More to hold a large customer appreciation day at their facility on October 22nd.
