Leveraging Drones and Spotlight Technology to Bridge Response Gaps in Remote Areas
by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab
Authorities in Marinette County, a rural area of Wisconsin bordering Michigan’s Upper Peninsula region, reported that a missing hunter safely escaped from the woods thanks to help from the sheriff’s office’s drone team.
According to a release from the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at 5:03 p.m. to the Peshtigo Harbor Wildlife Area off of County Highway BB for reports of a missing hunter.
Deputies, along with drone team members, say they were able to use various lighting and emergency equipment to quickly find and make contact with the hunter who was still lost in the wooded area.
The various lighting and emergency equipment were also used to help the hunter navigate his way out of the woods safely.
This isn’t the first time the drone team has assisted stranded people in the popular recreation area. In August, the drone team reported helping a group of tubers that had gotten lost in the Peshtigo River area. According to local media, the department was informed shortly after 7:30 p.m. that three tubers had overturned on the river in the town of Stephenson and were lost, according to a press release.
One of the tubers was located by deputies in a wooded area while the tuber was trying to find their way out, while the two remaining tubers were located after about 6 minutes of searching by the drone team, consisting of Sgt. Spencer Elias and Deputy Gary Temple, as they used the spotlight feature on the drone.
Both rescues show the potential of “drones as first responders” programs in rural areas, where long distances and remote locations can extend response times. In Marinette County, drones are being used to bridge that gap and help make sure everyone has the opportunity to get home safely.
The Marinette County drone and spotlight were reportedly purchased with the help of donations made from Faith Lutheran Church in Marinette.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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