| November 2017 | Airborne Public Safety Association, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue: APSA Releases Standards for Public Safety UAS Programs Mark Your Calendar; Make Continuing Education a Priority Injured Flight Officer: Paralysis "Not Going to Stop Me" APSA Conducts Successful Inaugural Public Safety Drone Expo Seminole County Receives IACP's Excellence in Aviation Award Police Departments React to Las Vegas Massacre Irish Police Receive UAS Training Riverside Police to Purchase Fixed-Wing Asset Thai Police Receives Asia's First H175 Helicopters Fresno Police Helicopter Hit by Laser Australia's PolAir Base to Receive $35 Million Upgrade LAPD Finally Set to Deploy UAS NPAS Receives Award for Terror Attack Response APSA Online Meetings: November 2017 Schedule Metro Aviation Marks 35-Year Milestone Maine State Police Uses UAS in Crash Investigations Part 107 Remote Pilot Course: APSA's Upcoming Schedule San Diego Sticks to UAS Program Despite Complaints NYPD Aviation Unit Pulls Off Daring Rescue More Arkansas Police Agencies Add UAS U.K. Continues Battle With Laser Strikes, Issues Warning Ohio Sheriff Returns Helicopter to Service After Upgrade Multiple Colorado Police Units to Begin Using UAS Technology Delaware State Helicopter Trains for Water Rescues Korean National Police to Increase UAS Use New York Police Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing E-Newsletter Sponsors: APSA Resources: |
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Injured Flight Officer: Paralysis “Not Going to Stop Me”
A month and a half after a helicopter crash left him paralyzed from the waist down, Gwinnett County (GA) Police Department Corporal Michael Duncan considers himself lucky. “Knowing that I’m a paraplegic is not going to stop me,” he said.
Duncan and Officer George McLain attempted to land their helicopter on Sept. 1 after pulling out of a search for a wanted suspect because of bad weather. Considering the damage done to the helicopter, Duncan said the crash could have been worse. “I’m lucky to be alive,” he said. “I mean, me being a paraplegic, if that’s the worst of it, then we’re all good.”
Doctors have said there is a chance Duncan could eventually regain some feeling in his legs. That’s something the former Marine and SWAT team member is holding on to as he goes through therapy. Watch as Cpl. Duncan discusses his rehab and community support since the helicopter crash.
SOURCE: www.gwinnettdailypost.com
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APSA Conducts Successful Inaugural Public Safety Drone Expo
The public safety drone industry is expanding at a rapid pace; a recent study identified at least 347 state and local police, sheriff, fire and emergency units across 43 states that have acquired drones, the majority in the last year, with local law enforcement leading the way. An inaugural event called Public Safety Drone Expo 2017 was produced by APSA in New Orleans, Oct. 16-19.
Public Safety Drone Expo provided a platform to showcase the industry’s latest technology for law enforcement, fire and search and rescue, and it offered a combination of interactive public safety specific UAS courses, classes and general sessions. Attendees heard from subject matter experts and public safety operators offering their insights into best practices, fundamentals and integration.
"This first-time event met all of our expectations," said APSA CEO Dan Schwarzbach. "Exhibitors and attendees alike expressed their satisfaction with the expo, with many attendees going out of their way to thank us for conducting this training. Don Roby, our Education Program Manager, did an excellent job in developing the curriculum and assembling a cadre of UAS subject matter experts willing to impart their firsthand knowledge. We intend to build on this success as we plan for next year," Schwarzbach added. Public Safety Drone Expo 2018 is scheduled to take place October 1-4, in Reno, NV.
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Seminole County Receives IACP’s Excellence in Aviation Award
The International Association of Chiefs (IACP) of Police Leadership in Police Aviation Award was presented to the Seminole County (FL) Sheriff’s Office Aviation Section at the IACP Annual Conference and Exposition last month.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Aviation Section (located just north of Orlando) is responsible for providing air support within the county and provides service for several other city police agencies within the service area. The agency has a mission profile that continues to diversify in what they provide the county, but mainly focuses on supporting patrol operations. The unit also offers firefighting capability and the only SWAT deployment and hoist rescue ability in the Orlando metro area.
In 2016, the unit delivered 128 water drops on wildfires in and around Seminole County. Within the first six months of 2017, the unit had already been called to make 276 drops. One of these fires was in April 2017, near the Chuluota area of Seminole County where wildfires directly threatened a large housing development. Due to the water drops from the assigned unit, no homes were lost in the fire and no personnel were injured. Last year, the unit located 150 persons and 118 of those persons were located using the thermal camera. In two major 2017 cases, an officer involved in a shooting and a stolen vehicle crash with multiple fatalities, the aircrew’s work and camera footage were used to detail the actions of involved law enforcement units.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Section has worked to maximize efficiency and safety since its inception. The unit members make great efforts in training and continuing education to ensure they are delivering the best possible service to the community. Unit members are motivated to find new and innovative ways to deliver the most professional public safety aviation services possible.
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Become an APSA Board Member!
The nomination period for APSA (soon-to-be Airborne Public Safety Association) elected offices for the term of July 2018 through July 2020 is open now through Dec. 15. The following offices are open for nomination: Vice-President, Secretary, Midwest Region Director, Northeast Region Director and Western Region Director. APSA Individual Members who are employed or appointed by a governmental agency under the laws of any state or nation, whose duties and responsibilities include the assignment as aircrew in or supervision and management of the agency's aviation and/or alternative aircraft operations unit, section, division or department may hold office. Members residing in that region shall elect region directors, and the director must reside in the region he is elected to represent. Nominations must be submitted by regular mail, facsimile or email and addressed to APSA Secretary Dan Cunningham, 50 Carroll Creek Way, Suite 260, Frederick, MD 21701; email to dcunningham@PublicSafetyAviation.org and dschwarzbach@PublicSafetyAviation.org; or fax to 301-631-2466. Find out more here.
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Police Departments React to Las Vegas Massacre
Las Vegas has been the recipient of an outpouring of love and support in the weeks since Stephen Paddock’s 10-minute shooting rampage left 59 dead at a country music festival. Police departments across the country, including those in New Jersey and Philadelphia, reacted to the mass shooting in Las Vegas in early October by reflecting on their own strategies for preventing and responding to mass casualty events. Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Dennis Wilson said that included reviewing how aviation units check rooftops and cover officers on the ground. “We’re continually looking at every terror event, every active shooter,” Wilson said. “Every law enforcement agency does that. We look at our policies for prevention and response and try to get better.” SOURCE: www.newsworks.org
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Irish Police Receive UAS Training
The Police Service of Northern Ireland recently underwent beyond visual line of sight unmanned aircraft systems training conducted by consulting company Consortiq. The police service elected to receive the training following a change in regulations from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority on July 31 to relax rules for emergency services’ use of drones. The new regulations will allow operators to fly out beyond line of site to approximately 3,281 feet—or even beyond 6,562 feet in exceptional circumstances—in critical incidents. Consortiq’s customer success manager, Séamus Kearns, who is also a search and rescue volunteer, said, “It was a fantastic opportunity and privilege to help drive drone capability forward for the emergency services. This will ultimately contribute to helping to protect and save lives of the public.” SOURCE: www.unmanned-aerial.com
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Riverside Police to Purchase Fixed-Wing Asset
The Riverside (CA) Police Department hopes to add an airplane to its airborne fleet in November after the local city council approved the purchase on Oct. 17. The department plans to use the airplane for surveillance of narcotics traffickers, gang members and large events, as well as patrol, according to Deputy Chief Larry Gonzalez. The $982,870 airplane, fully equipped for law enforcement, will be cheaper to operate than the department’s helicopters, Gonzalez said. “The biggest thing is, number one, to be able to stay up in the air twice as long and stay up in the air twice as high,” he said. “We’re up in a plane 4,500 feet a couple of miles away, and being able to do good surveillance without people knowing we’re there.” A pilot and an observer will staff the Cessna T206H, which is equipped with a color and infrared camera that can deliver sharp, high-resolution color images from 6 to 9 miles away to officers on the ground. Riverside Police currently operates three helicopters but is expected to sell the oldest to facilitate the airplane’s purchase. SOURCE: www.pe.com
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Thai Police Receives Asia's First H175 Helicopters
The Royal Thai Police became the Asia-Pacific's first operator of the Airbus Helicopters H175 super medium twin rotorcraft in early October. Two of the aircraft, to be used for VIP transport and police missions, have now been delivered, Airbus officials said. “We welcome the Royal Thai Police as the inaugural H175 operator for this region, and we are grateful for their continued trust in our products as they expand their fleet," said Philippe Monteux, head of the Southeast Asia and Pacific regions for Airbus. Prior to the H175 delivery, the Thai police operated 38 helicopters, mainly from Bell Helicopter and Airbus, and four fixed-wing aircraft. The police force operates the Airbus H155 and Bell 205, 412EP and 212. SOURCE: www.flightglobal.com
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Fresno Police Helicopter Hit by Laser
A Fresno (CA) Police Department helicopter aircrew was helping officers on a call in late October when a man driving on the freeway struck the aircraft with a green, high-powered laser three separate times. After the TFO recovered his vision, he directed the pilot to the car with a searchlight and called for assistance from ground officers. "It lights up the whole cockpit and, of course, if you're staring at it, is immediately like looking into the sun or a welders arc so what happens is flash blindness and we lose our night vision for a bit," said Sgt. Larry Hustedde. The 31-year-old suspect then led police on a pursuit, exiting the interstate and driving recklessly at high speed. He was apprehended after he crashed his automobile and ran into a residential area. Officers found the laser, a pellet gun and ammunition in the car. "We're not talking about a kid pointing a laser, this guy really meant to do it at a police helicopter and thought he wouldn't get caught. He's on probation and had a warrant for car theft," said Hustedde. SOURCE: www.abc30.com
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Australia’s PolAir Base to Receive $35 Million Upgrade
Bankstown Airport, home to the New South Wales (NSW) Police Force Airwing (PolAir) in Australia, will soon get a $35 million overhaul. The upgrade will include a state-of-the-art two-floor office, two hangars with 10 bays and maintenance facilities. The redeveloped base is expected to house the NSW Police Force’s five helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft that perform surveillance, crime fighting, counter-terrorism, and search and rescue missions across the state from Bankstown. NSW PolAir has operated out of Bankstown Airport since the 1980s. The draft development plan outlines the revamp as a “matter of priority” in order to bring the facility in line with upcoming changes to the nation’s Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. The upgrade is expected to make operations more efficient for NSW PolAir and future-proof the site. SOURCE: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
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LAPD Finally Set to Deploy UAS
The Los Angeles Police Department has begun a yearlong unmanned aircraft systems test, making it the largest police department in the country to deploy the technology. The Los Angeles Police Commission voted in favor of the LAPD’s pilot program in mid-October despite considerable protests. The UAS will be deployed by the LAPD's Metropolitan Division SWAT Team in order to resolve “dangerous, high-risk tactical situations and improve situational awareness capabilities during natural disasters and catastrophic incidents,” according to the department’s draft proposal. LAPD has vowed to use the drones on a case-by-case basis and only under strict regulations. SOURCE: www.cnbc.com
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NPAS Receives Award for Terror Attack Response
“I am delighted that NPAS have been recognized for their outstanding response to two major national incidents, one in Westminster and one in Manchester earlier this year,” Chief Constable Dee Collins of the West Yorkshire Police said. “The crews, across a number of NPAS bases and within the National Operations Centre, provided an unprecedented response and invaluable command and control of the incidents, without which both colleagues and communities would have been put at much greater risk.” NPAS crews are being recognized for their sustained cover throughout the incidents at Westminster Bridge in March and in Manchester in June. Both of the attacks necessitated a sustained and unprecedented response from U.K. policing and from NPAS to provide a continuous aerial view. SOURCE: www.npas.police.uk
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APSA Online Meetings: November 2017 Schedule
Meetings are conducted through an online conference call you can join using your computer, device or phone. Online meetings are open to any APSA member. To receive meeting information and be added to the mailing list, send an email to safety@PublicSafetyAviation.org. For November, an online meeting for UAS Operators will be conducted on Wednesday, November 8 from 1:00-2:00 PM (1800 UTC); for Safety Officers on Thursday, November 9 from 1:00-2:00 PM (1800 UTC); and for Maintenance Technicians on Tuesday, November 14 from 1:00-2:00 PM (1800 UTC). Contract maintenance providers to APSA members are welcome to participate in the Maintenance Technician’s meeting as well. All times are EST.
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Metro Aviation Marks 35-Year Milestone
Metro Aviation is the largest privately owned traditional air medical operator and global completion leader. The company has enjoyed a long tradition of innovation and “firsts” in the industry, and currently operates more than 140 aircraft for 35 air medical programs across the country. Metro Aviation was the first operator to equip its entire fleet with night vision goggles (NVGs) and the company partnered with FlightSafety International to build the world’s first Level D, Full Motion EC135 simulator and the western hemisphere’s first Level D Full Motion EC145 simulator. Metro was among one of the first companies to see the benefit in simulator time for pilots, sending them to train in other model types before simulators for their fleet even existed. In addition, Metro was one of only three Part 135 operators out of 2,200 to reach Level IV of the FAA’s Safety Management System Pilot Program, and the first and only Part 145 certificate holder to reach Level IV. Metro Aviation has always been customer-centric, and credits the absence of sales goals and growth metrics as a top contributor to their success. “We have always been invested in our customer as a partner, and because of that we have enjoyed a slow and steady growth,” says Metro CEO Mike Stanberry. “We are truly blessed, humbled and thankful for all of our customers and employees, both seasoned and new.”
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Maine State Police Uses UAS in Crash Investigations
The Maine State Police is now using unmanned aircraft systems to survey crash scenes, photograph the wreckage and process the images to help determine the incidents’ causes. Officials said the technology has saved the department considerable time. The Maine State Police now has three drones, and the department has been using them to document crash scenes for about three months. In 2015, civil liberties groups helped pass a law that regulates the use of drones by Maine police. The law prohibits the use of drones in criminal investigations when a warrant hasn’t been obtained. SOURCE: www.centralmaine.com
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Part 107 Remote Pilot Course: APSA’s Upcoming Schedule
APSA's Remote Pilot-In-Command Course includes twenty (20) hours of classroom training for UAS staff that is designed to provide a review of the Federal Aviation Regulations PART 107 Remote Pilot Certification Process. The course is a must-have for agencies to train their personnel on how to operate sUAS and to obtain pilot certification; it will prepare the student to successfully take the FAA Pilot’s Exam for this rating. The Remote Pilot-In-Command Course is intended for public safety personnel, both sworn and non-sworn, who are interested in obtaining their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under FAR PART 107. The cost is $150 (which includes a one-year membership to APSA). Course dates and host agencies include: (click on your desired location for additional details) • December 9-10, 2017, Adams County (CO) Fire Protection District • January 13-14, 2018, Spokane County (WA) Sheriff’s Office • January 27-28, 2018, Nassau County (NY) Police Department • March 15-16, 2018, Alameda County (CA) Sheriff’s Office
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San Diego Sticks to UAS Program Despite Complaints
The San Diego County (CA) Sheriff’s Department has used unmanned aircraft systems in more than 70 incidents, including homicide investigations, SWAT incidents and search-and-rescue missions, over the past year. And while some local residents have objected to their use, police say the aircraft are here to stay. The sheriff’s department became the first local law enforcement agency to launch a drone program last October. The department has budgeted $165,000 for the program’s second year. Four police departments, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad and Chula Vista, have followed San Diego’s lead and now have at least one unmanned aircraft. SOURCE: www.sandiegouniontribune.com
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NYPD Aviation Unit Pulls Off Daring Rescue
The New York (NY) Police Department Aviation Unit saved a life on Oct. 22, airlifting a 59-year-old man who experienced a cardiac emergency during a hike on Bear Mountain. The NYPD Aviation Unit was called in to assist after the incident was reported to Westchester County officials. A tactical medic rappelled down from a helicopter and put the man on a backboard, the officials said. The unit then airlifted the victim to an area hospital, where authorities said he is expected to survive. Click here to see the video of the rescue. SOURCE: www.nbcnewyork.com
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More Arkansas Police Agencies Add UAS
The Pulaski County (AR) Sheriff's Office, Sherwood Police and Benton County Sheriff's Office recently purchased unmanned aircraft systems and are in the process of training officers to pilot the devices and registering them with the Federal Aviation Administration. The agencies’ purchases come in the wake of the North Little Rock Police Department buying five unmanned aircraft systems and launching them for search and rescue missions, visual reconnaissance and disaster response in late October. The North Little Rock department purchased its five drones using $19,127 seized in criminal cases. It’s the department's second attempt at using UAS. The agency spent $78,000 in federal grant money on an unmanned system in 2007. At least 10 public safety agencies in Arkansas have now purchased UAS. The other agencies include the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Ouachita County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Office of Emergency Management, Rogers Police Department, Union County Sheriff's Office and West Memphis Fire Department. SOURCE: www.arkansasonline.com
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U.K. Continues Battle With Laser Strikes, Issues Warning
A suspect was arrested in mid-October when a U.K. National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter was struck with a laser. The helicopter was monitoring a disturbance in Leicestershire when it was struck, prompting yet another warning about the dangers of handheld lasers from NPAS administrators. “The impact on a pilot is at the very least distracting but can be serious enough to cause temporary 'flash' blindness and in some cases, lasting eye damage,” said Ollie Dismore, NPAS director of operations. “The frequency of these attacks in the U.K. alone is at a worrying level with around 1,380 laser strikes on aircraft last year officially reported to the Civil Aviation Authority.” The latest attack led to a suspect being arrested and taken into Leicestershire Police custody. NPAS has continually directed citizens not to point lasers at aircraft as incidents involving the devices have ramped up over the past several years. SOURCE: www.leicestermercury.co.uk
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Ohio Sheriff Returns Helicopter to Service After Upgrade
The Hamilton County (OH) Sheriff’s Office has returned its MD 500 helicopter to service after it underwent an E-to-F conversion starting in July. After a twelve-week turnaround time, the MD 530F now has a zero-time engine and should be operational for many years to come. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office began using its MD 500E in 1989. “We are excited to return this beautiful, newly certified MD 530F to the team at Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office,” MD Helicopters’ Nick Nenadovic said. “Hamilton County is one of the most tenured all-MD helicopter aviation units in the country.” The E-to-F conversion program delivers increased hot and high-performance capability as well as an improved operational range and flight time. In addition to the performance upgrades, MD Helicopters installed an all-new interior in the Hamilton County aircraft and updated its paint scheme to match other department vehicles. SOURC: www.heliweb.com
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Multiple Colorado Police Units to Begin Using UAS Technology
Police departments in Beavercreek and Fairborn, CO have begun incorporating unmanned aircraft systems in their day-to-day operations, according to a social media post. Two officers from each department have obtained FAA remote pilot licenses and are learning to operate and maintain the UAS. “The purpose behind the program is to provide real time information for responding officers and aid in locating missing or fleeing individuals,” Beavercreek police's Facebook post read. “Additionally, the UAS platforms may aid in traffic crash investigations, tactical deployments and large event surveillance for safety.” Another Colorado agency, the Fountain Police Department, launched a new drone program after one of its officers received an unmanned aircraft as a gift. Officer Eric Moore is now a licensed UAS pilot who hopes to help the department cut down on response times. Moore said UAS represent a more cost effective and time efficient way to solve crimes. SOURCE: www.daytondailynews.com and www.fox21news.com
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Delaware State Helicopter Trains for Water Rescues
Delaware State Police helicopters are often first on scene at incidents in waterways, and the department recently completed training to keep its crews sharp. “We're a coastline state, so [it is important] for us to be ready, we're here, and we can get there rather quickly and get the job done," said Corporal Brett Creasey, a Delaware State Police pilot. Click here for video of the unit’s recent over-water training. SOURCE: www.wdel.com
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Korean National Police to Increase UAS Use
The Korean National Police Agency recently announced it would start using unmanned aircraft systems to locate missing persons in the second half of next year. Police officials said the UAS are expected to contribute to its search and rescue of more than 30,000 individuals per year. The Korean National Policy Agency said its aviation division is seeking to revise regulations on using drones for SAR missions. It has pointed to the use of unmanned aircraft in other nations, such as the U.S. and Canada, as justification for their implementation. In the past, the Korean police have used UAS in maintaining public order, traffic management and patrols in vulnerable areas. But in those instances, the agency has employed privately owned drones. SOURCE: www.koreatimes.co.kr
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New York Police Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing
A Westchester County (NY) Police helicopter made an emergency landing while trying to find two lost hikers in late September. No injuries were reported. The county's aviation unit was assisting on a search for two missing people when the pilots radioed that they had to land in a parking lot due to smoke in the cockpit. The helicopter made a "hard landing, skidding approximately 30 feet before coming to rest," police said. The local fire department arrived to the scene but found no fire. The helicopter was towed back to Westchester, and the hikers were later found in good condition. SOURCE: www.northjersey.com
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APSA Welcomes New MembersAPSA would like to welcome the following individual members who joined during October 2017:
Individual Members: Scott Adams, EagleEye Intelligence, LLC
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The U.K.’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) was awarded the “Sword of Honour” by the Honorary Company of Air Pilots (HCAP) last month. The award honors NPAS’s emergency response to two of the U.K.’s terror attacks earlier this year.
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| APSA E-Newsletter Staff | |
| Dan Schwarzbach, Editor | dschwarzbach@PublicSafetyAviation.org |
| Lisa Wright, Editorial Director | airbeat@PublicSafetyAviation.org |
| APSA, Publisher | webmaster@PublicSafetyAviation.org |
| Benay Osborne, Ad Sales | bosborne@PublicSafetyAviation.org |
This newsletter is published monthly by the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), a public benefit, non-profit California corporation. The APSA is comprised of air crew and air support personnel in public safety and others who support, promote, and advance the safe and effective use of aircraft by governmental agencies in support of public safety operations.
© Copyright 2017 by the Airborne Public Safety Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this newsletter in whole or in part without written permission from the Editor is prohibited. Product and corporate names mentioned in this newsletter are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA), its Board of Directors, staff or membership; nor shall their publication imply endorsement on the part of APSA of any content or claims made therein. APSA disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and makes no judgment regarding the accuracy of posted information. In no event will APSA be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages resulting from the publication or any subsequent public distribution thereof.
Airborne Public Safety Association, Inc.
50 Carroll Creek Way
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