New Jersey Officials Look To Obtain 2 Drones For Emergency Situations
HACKENSACK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- If emergency management officials get their way, Bergen County will be the first county in New Jersey to obtain federal approval to use drones during emergencies.
Emergency management officials briefed Bergen County freeholders Wednesday on plans to acquire two drones, The Record reported.
County Emergency Management Coordinator Lt. Matthew Tiedemann said the drones would at first be limited only to search operations and other emergencies.
New Jersey Officials Look To Obtain 2 Drones For Emergency Situations
"By giving first responders situational awareness, 360 degree view of a scene as opposed to a one dimensional view from the ground," Lt. Tiedemann said.
According to officials, the drones could help responders during large fires or in searching for missing people.
"We could have had a 360 degree view of fires," Lit. Tiedemann told CBS2's Meg Baker.
The drones could also be used to find a missing person and reach areas that helicopters can't.
"We could use it indoors such as at Garden State Plaza attempting to locate an active shooter," Lt. Tiedemann said.
Freeholders expressed concerns over privacy issues, but say the drones could be helpful. Residents voiced similar opinions.
"Only positive things could come out. I don't think it would infringe on anyone's privacy. They would help," Chelsea Scala said.
"Don't we have enough cameras out there? Just more invasion of privacy," Ed Kling said.
Tiedemann added that his office has drafted a plan that wouldn't allow drones to be used for undercover surveillance.
Bergen County OEM said first drones with cameras would be introduced, followed by drones that can make drop offs and pick ups.
"This allows us to go to a particular position and drop something to someone whether that be medication to someone in need or a cell phone to open conversation with a hostage situation," John Baer, Building Images, said.
Bergen County will be a test site, and will recieve a $29,000 drone for free from a Chicago company and would like to buy a second smaller one for $13,500.
The Bergen County Freeholders would still have to approve the purchase, then it would have to be approved by the FAA to fly the drones.
A drone must be flown below 400-ft, can weigh no more than 55-lbs, and can not fly faster than 70 mph.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
