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Life-Saving Deliveries by Drone

Package delivery by drone that is happening today.

There are still many hurdles that have to be crossed before we will see package delivery happen routinely here in the United States. However, that does not mean that a United States company, Zipline, can't develop, test, manufacture and implement delivery systems in other parts of the world.

They came to my attention via a SIRIUS/XM POTUS program that showcased their delivery of blood products in Africa. I've mentioned the critical nature of blood delivery right here in the Pacific Northwest. Bloodworks NW provides all the blood for the states of Washington and Oregon. In a Disaster Zone TV Show I did with them, their former director shared that they drive over a million miles every year delivering blood products. With a subduction earthquake, the need for blood supplies will skyrocket while the ability to move blood around the region will be significantly constrained. 

It is services like those that Zipline, a commercial profit-making company, provides that could be an essential solution to saving lives in a disaster. Not to mention, becoming a much more efficient means today.

Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.