Public Safety Drones: the Move Towards Standardized Training

Public safety drones are an increasingly important sector in the drone industry – and in communities across the country.  Now, an agreement between ASTM International and DRONERESPONDERS will move towards standardized global training of public safety personnel.

“ASTM International, the global leader in fully transparent standards development, and the DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance – an official program of AIRT, the leading 501(c) non-profit organization supporting Drones For Good, today announced a new strategic initiative designed to standardize the training and use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and related technology across the public safety and emergency services sectors around the world,” says a DRONERESPONDERS press release.

“The new Public Safety UAS Standardized Training Initiative (STI) will be based on ASTM International standard F3379-20, Standard Guide for Training for Public Safety Remote Pilot of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Endorsement and administered exclusively by DRONERESPONDERS for the public safety sector.”

The need for better and more accessible training for public safety personnel has been a clear outcome of sector surveys.   It could also be a critical factor in improving public perception of drone use by emergency services, as standardized training helps personnel to work within a common framework of safety and public communications.

The new program, Public Safety UAS STI, “will provide public safety UAS training providers with a third-party evaluation of their curriculum for conformance to applicable ASTM standards,” says the release. ” Programs that meet or exceed UAS STI will received a certificate and digital emblem from DRONERESPONDERS and ASTM confirming they have been approved as a Public Safety UAS (STI) Approved Training Provider.”

“The goal for the Public Safety UAS Standardized Training Initiative is to create a safer, more efficient operating environment for all stakeholders in the Whole Community,” said Brian Meincke, VP of Global Business Development and Innovation Strategy of ASTM International.  “We are thrilled to partner with AIRT-DRONERESPONDERS as the industry leader in supporting Drones For Good and Public Safety UAS operations.”

“We could not ask for a better partner than ASTM International in launching this training iniative,” said Fire Chief Charles Werner (ret.), Director of DRONERESPONDERS.  “The Public Safety UAS Standardized Training Initiative will serve as the catalyst toward creating a standardized training environment for all types and sizes of public safety agencies.”