Guidance to UAV Operators Responding to Florida

[I am the Public Information Officer for National Council on Public Safety UAS. This post is written in that role. We will stand up an official location for future announcements.]

The Director, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program, FSU, working in conjunction with local, state, and Federal agencies, requests that all volunteer UAS operators respect the following:

Volunteer/humanitarian aid/emergency response operators:

1. Do not self-deploy during response/life-safety, it’s dangerous.
2. Register on volunteerflorida.org.
3. When the State gets to recovery, we will need help. Registered volunteers should report to a Volunteer Reception Center for vetting and assignment.
4. Be prepared to be self sufficient. Do not assume that food, shelter, water, transportation, power, medical support, and fuel will be available to support your activities

Commercial operators:

• All commercial operators working for utilities, insurance companies, etc should comply with their Part 107 restrictions.
• Please coordinate operations through local and state EOCs if flying during response phase.

Official agencies:

• Official agencies should contact the FAA Systems Operations Support Center (SOSC) at 202-267-8276 and request an Emergency COA or SGI. This authorization will permit operations inside any posted TFRs or within controlled airspace.

 

All operators in Florida should utilize Airmap (including registering of flights) for maximum visibility. Emergency Management is using Airmap to help deconflict air operations.

Other guidance:

• Low flying aircraft will be an issue. 
• Monitor FAA and other resources for new or changing TFRs.
• Follow the eCOA process when working with a sponsoring agency or private sector partner. 
• Be patient with the SOSC as they will get bombarded with requests