The event was hosted by NUAIR and state public safety officials.
"Right now we're using the drone for several different areas," said Oneida County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Jon Owens. "We're using it for situational awareness, the nature of a problem, the scope of an incident and damage assessment."
Thermal and visual drones were used in a variety of scenarios including search and rescue, mapping, hazardous materials, open fires and explosives.
"We also have the benefit of using this for search and rescue, fire investigation and accident investigations," Owens said. "We can clear up an accident scene in a matter of minutes instead of hours. It saves time, money and improves the safety of the roadways. It's a huge benefit for all of us to have the technology."
©2019 Observer-Dispatch, Utica, N.Y. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
