The Putnam County Rescue Squad utilizing a drone program to significantly reduce the time required for emergency search operations in remote areas.
Putnam EMS Paramedic and Volunteer Drone Coordinator Stanley Vanhooser said the initiative began as technology became a game-changer for local search and rescue missions. Vanhooser said the program has grown from two pilots to eight licensed volunteers who must maintain FAA commercial certifications to operate during official missions.
“What would have typically, we felt like, would have took hours doing a search operation, this drone actually found these people within 15 minutes of us arriving on the scene in a remote area,” Vanhooser said. “So that’s just, to us, that is a game-changer.”
Vanhooser said the squad currently operates four drones, including thermal-equipped models that can fly in extreme weather conditions. Vanhooser said the technology allows the team to provide overhead views and oversight at public events while maintaining communication with the FAA to monitor other aircraft in the area.
“Our drone was able to actually fly in that kind of weather to where even the helicopter was concerned about icing because of the temperature range being what it was, and the fog and the moisture coming up off the falls,” Vanhooser said. “And actually that drone went right to where the victim was at.”
Vanhooser said the drones have been used to deliver small payloads of medical equipment, such as warm IV fluids, to patients in locations that are difficult to reach. Vanhooser said the squad is currently working with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to implement software that will allow drones from different agencies to see each other and share live links with command staff during statewide disasters.
“We’re trying to come up right now with a software that will actually connect all of our drones together,” Vanhooser said. “If we need to shoot a link back to our command staff or if we need to send a link back into the Emergency Operations Center, then that will be able to do that.”
Vanhooser said the program is funded through the Putnam County Rescue Squad and the Emergency Management Agency, requiring budget approval from the Putnam County Commission. Vanhooser said he is currently seeking funding for two additional drones at an estimated cost of $15,000 each to keep up with the increasing demand for aerial support.
“We put drones up to help people,” Vanhooser said. “We’re not there to spy on you or do anything negative.”
Vanhooser said the rescue squad is actively seeking more volunteers willing to complete the 40-hour study course and FAA exam to become licensed pilots.