Mission
The advent of unmanned aerial systems (UAS, referred to here as “drones”) in the U.S. has given rise to new economic, governmental and recreational opportunities. But it has also created new safety and security risks which our communities are not prepared to deal with.
Launching in 2018, Drone Safe Communities is a nationwide initiative which helps educate policy-makers on the risks of unauthorized drone operations and actions needed to ensure our country can continue to enjoy the innovations of drones while responsibly addressing these new safety and security risks. This initiative includes stakeholders with public safety responsibilities as well as technology companies with innovative solutions.
Mission Statement: To promote policies that make our communities safer from the risks of unauthorized drone operations.
Public safety and security is a shared responsibility between federal, state, and local agencies as well as some private sector and non-profit partners. Federal policies must be revisited to address the new risks to our communities created by unauthorized drone operations. At minimum, this must include the use of technology for safe drone detection, identification and interdiction by those on the front line and last line of safety to protect our communities from safety and security risks of unauthorized drones.
Current Threats
There is a growing threat to our nation’s critical infrastructure, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security refers to over 16 different sectors, including:
Chemical; Commercial Facilities; Communications; Critical Manufacturing; Dams; Defense Industrial Base; Emergency Services; Energy; Financial Services; Food and Agriculture; Government Facilities; Healthcare and Public Health; Information Technology; Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste; Transportation Systems; and Water and Wastewater Systems.
In addition, professionals such as firefighters, corrections and border security officers remain at risk due to unauthorized drones at urban and wildland fires, prisons and border environments. Last, stadiums and other large venues where crowds and masses gather are also at risk, as evidenced by recent attacks.
Critical Infrastructure Airports
Forest Fires Events
Cities, towns, tribal communities Prisons