The Port Authority Office of Emergency Management (OEM), like many other government agencies, maintain an Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Program to support of the OEM mission.
To strengthen the Port Authority’s ability to prevent, mitigate, and respond to security risks and other natural or man-made hazards by developing and implementing plans and programs to preserve life, protect vital public infrastructure, manage crisis events, restore core business functions, and help maintain the highest quality and most efficient transportation services so important to the well-being and economic competitiveness of the region.
The Program, in compliance with the FAA, operates small UAS weighing less than 55 pounds which can only be commanded by FAA Remote Pilot Certified pilots per our department program policy.
For additional information on UAS regulations visit the FAA website.
The UAS team on site
How OEM is Using UAS
In accordance with OEM’s mission drones are available for a variety of public safety and emergency response purposes, including but not limited to:
- Conducting damage assessments
- Gathering and maintaining situational awareness during emergencies, site operations, exercises, and planned events
- Conducting infrastructure assessments
- Providing UAS-related training for members
Reporting
UAS are used for a variety of public safety and emergency response purposed. See PAOEM’s 2022 annual UAS mission flight report.
Privacy
PAOEM recognizes the importance of conducting UAS operations in a manner that does not infringe on individuals’ privacy rights. To protect these rights the PAOEM UAS Program has implemented applicable policies and procedures from the 2015 Presidential Memorandum: Promoting Economic Competitiveness While Safeguarding Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties in Domestic Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.