Coquitlam Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers will have a little extra aerial help in the coming year.
That's because Emergency Management B.C. has given the group the green light for a pilot program to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) — drones — for search and rescue purposes.
The local organization started testing UAVs to determine whether they'd be suitable for SAR purposes in early 2013, making it a pioneer in bringing in professionally operated drones as a contracted service when needed.
Using drone contractors means Coquitlam SAR won't have to maintain an expensive set of equipment and skills while also jumping through all the regulatory hoops to pilot UAVs. Transport Canada has ruled that using drones for SAR purposes is a professional use, meaning SAR teams must adhere to stricter operating requirements.
A professional UAV pilot will use a dedicated, SAR-specific drone when needed during the one-year pilot project. Neighbouring SAR groups in Ridge Meadows and Surrey will also participate in the program and will train their members with the Coquitlam team to make it a regional SAR pilot.
The Kamloops SAR team is also sharing information and best practices with the Lower Mainland groups.
Participating SAR members will meet monthly to discuss the results of any operations and, at the end of the year, the effectiveness of the UAV program will be evaluated.
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