Ready and Resilient

We spent a lot of time this month with a focus on readiness, especially for DFR operations. As a company, we recognize the profound impact of the recent accident that tragically claimed lives in our neighboring community. The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge will have a rippling effect on the families, the community and the economics of the region.

While preparedness and readiness may appear synonymous at first glance, there exists a subtle yet significant distinction between the two concepts. While they often seem to complement each other, the notion that preparedness invariably leads to readiness is not always accurate. "Prepared" may imply a higher level of being equipped or provisioned for a task, whereas "ready" may convey a sense of promptness or agility in taking action.

The Case for Autonomous Operations

The recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency surrounding assessment, search, and rescue operations. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at a news conference?Tuesday afternoon, "There is not a single resource we will hold off on deploying ... to make sure that this search and rescue operation is carried out to its fullest intent."

New Tech Resources

For optimal effectiveness, Drone as First Responder (DFR) systems have stepped up as a ready and resilient resource with its ability to cover expansive areas.

See video here

NBC Reporter, Dennis Romero

Drone video shows breadth of bridge collapse

Drone video recorded by the National Transportation Safety Board shows the breadth of the Baltimore bridge collapse. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said earlier today that her agency is leading the investigation.?The board says video captured after a major transportation accident can help it document wreckage, assess first responders' reactions, help train future investigators and serve as an element in an inquiry's conclusions.

The Coast Guard concluded its search late Tuesday for six workers who were on a bridge at the time of the crash. An underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) plays a crucial role in equipping special forces with the necessary tools for underwater search and recovery missions.

FBI Supervisory Special Agent Brian Hudson, who oversees the search, emphasized the hazardous underwater conditions, and highlighted that debris had not yet settled. He told the “CBS Morning” show on Wednesday, "It's not a great spot for divers. It's incredibly black water as the sediment gets kicked up, and there's also a significant current underwater as the tides change. The search crew will primarily use an ROV with sonar technology, instead of a dive team, until they believe they have found something.”

ROVs enable efficient and precise search and recovery investigations, either independently or in collaboration with divers. The drone is a complimentary tool for understanding the environment when divers are dealing with the dark waters and dense debris of twisted metal.

TruWeather Solutions and DRONERESPONDERS has recently united in partnership to bring digital weather services to the public safety sector. Our blog spotlight for this month, Weather Operational Readiness for Drone as First Responder (DFR) Missions, highlights our upcoming in-depth report, in collaboration with DRONERESPONDERS, outlining how digital weather services can enhance operational readiness for Drone as First Responder (DFR) missions.