Page 14 - Nov/Dec 2020 Vol 38 No 5

NATIONAL
Drones and Public Works: Assisting
in Emergency Management Briefing
“Drones and Public Works: Assisting in
Emergency Management” was the title of
a highly educational September 22 virtual
briefing, with approximately 90 APWA
and CPWA attendees on hand. APWA
presented this webinar in cooperation
with the U.S. House Public Works and
Infrastructure Caucus Co-Chairs, U.S.
Representative Dina Titus (NV-01) and
U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick
(PA-01).
The panelists were Mary Joyce Ivers,
APWA President, Deputy Public Works
Director, City of Ventura, CA; Ray
Funnye, Director of Public Services,
Georgetown County, South Carolina, and
Basil Yap, Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(UAS) Program Manager, Department
of Transportation, North Carolina. Scott
Grayson, APWA Chief Executive Officer,
served as moderator.
To kick off the virtual briefing, greetings also were sent to the Federal Emergency
and a short message on drone technology
were given by Titus, U.S. Representative
Randy Weber (TX-14) and James Longley,
Legislative Director for Fitzpatrick.
The following includes a brief overview
of remarks from each panelist.
Mary Joyce Ivers:
Nevada’s Police Department has used
drones to locate and assist homeless
populations with evacuation efforts
during weather events. Drones are used
in showing where trees are too close to
power lines, in keeping roads clean and
in identifying risky areas of potential fire
hazards.
She said correct regulations are in place
to keep citizens safe. Ivers encouraged
everyone to have discussions with other
agencies about how they are using drone
technology. She revealed our Motto for
2020-2021 is: ONE APWA.
Ray Funnye:
South Carolina uses drone technology
pre-and-post major weather events to
assess significant storm damage. He
encouraged everyone to be an advocate
for drone technology and to meet with
state and federal officials to educate them
14 TPW November/December 2020
by Kimberly Strong
and foster support of this new technology. environmental factors, etc.
Funnye said that drones can save lives. During his final remarks, Yap advocated
Basil Yap:
for public education on the proper
Drones are considered aircraft by the use of drones. He said unfortunately
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). drones have been used for infringing on
In North Carolina, drones have a wide people’s privacy and for non-professional
number of uses: for medical package activities.
delivery, food delivery in food deserts, Congressman Randy Weber:
identifying endangered species, bridge
inspection, transportation infrastructure In his closing remarks, Weber relayed
and as a protest tool. For example, Walmart that drone education is an ongoing
is now using drones to deliver groceries to process and that Congress is monitoring
residents in Salem, North Carolina. the FAA’s regulations. He compared
drone technology to the evolution of
Drones were employed to survey Skype, Zoom and RingCentral, asking
flooding during natural disasters the audience to envision what drone
Hurricanes Michael and Florence in 2018, technology will encompass in the
and Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Yap showed next seven to eight years. Impressed
a drone video, taken to assess flood damage with APWA’s briefing, he encouraged
caused by Hurricane Florence, which the organization to continue these
was later shared on social media with conversations and help aid awareness in
residents in that disaster area. The images Congress.
Wrap Up:
Management Agency (FEMA) to help with
the area being declared a disaster area. Scott Grayson made closing comments,
lauding Public Works professionals as true
Yap said drones are used in protecting First Responders.
certain species of bats, and help with
thermal imaging to record their numbers. Many thanks to Andrea Eales, Director
In addition, drones allow for Ortho of Government and Public Affairs in
Imagery and orthophotos that can be APWA’s D.C. Office, and several of her
“stitched together” to create a 3D image. staff members who assisted with the
In fact, agencies who are considering “behind the ‘virtual’ scenes work.” Anyone
incorporating drone technology into their interested in hearing a recording of the
programs can chose from many diverse briefing is encouraged to contact her at
drone platforms, depending on budget, 202-408-9541.