Benefits of Working with Individuals Wearing a Badge
The tracking of resources and maintaining control of the disaster response scene is, at times, overwhelming and often made difficult by well-intentioned individuals and groups seeking to assist with mitigation. It is important to remember that the jurisdiction having authority and Incident Command maintain the final say in who operates within the emergency response area. During the flood events, many individuals challenged or neglected to announce themselves as they tried to participate in air operations.
This dangerous behavior is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. By the order of Incident Command, a TFR was used to control access to air space; Wimberley Firefighter Gene Robinson was assigned to oversee all air operations, and coordinate the air space for both manned and unmanned resources. Gene was contacted directly by the FAA and made aware that outside entities were trying to gain access to the scene without receiving his permission, going so far as to claim authority under the Wimberley Fire Department’s COA. It is very important that anyone wanting to assist with emergency response make their presence clear and work with authorized Incident Command designees.
Recommendation • Always contact Incident Command and/or Air Operations’ designees to determine if services are needed.
• Pre-plan future responses by creating a list of qualified responders that can be called upon for assistance.
• Recommend immediate establishment of TFR and assignment of Air Operations to control scene access.
• Inform local law enforcement of need to control air space and suggest enforcement against any unauthorized access.
Pre-planning and Training for the Next Large Scale Event for Unmanned Resources
Unmanned aerial systems are not a replacement for manned air units but should be looked at as a force multiplier. The unmanned aerial system provides the Incident Commander another tool to gather information and assist with informed decision making. It is imperative that pre-planning and training takes place prior to the next emergency response in order for Incident Commanders to be made aware of, and understand, unmanned aerial capabilities.
Recommendation • Joint training exercises should be created that involve manned air assets, unmanned aerial systems, and ground-based resources.
• All unmanned resources wishing to operate within the state should participate in regularly scheduled joint training exercises and become pre-approved to participate in real-world scenarios.
• A list of pre-approved, unmanned resources should be maintained and distributed for use by Incident Commanders.
Getting on the Incident Commander's Radar
Unmanned aerial systems provide the Incident Commander with a new set of tools in order to make informed decisions. It is important that before an event ever takes place, Incident Commanders have been made aware of UASs’ capabilities, best practices, and how to access them.
Recommendation • Through the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), communicate capabilities and best practices for Incident Commanders.
• Use organizations within the state to provide a current listing of all pre-approved unmanned resources. Examples of who should receive such a list includes the Texas Forestry Service (TFS), State Fire Marshal’s Office, Texas Division of Emergency Management, and the Texas Engineering and Extension Service (TEEX).
• Include unmanned aerial systems as a resource for the Texas Interstate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS).