Title
UAS (Drones) Update
Description
This report provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee and update on the UAS (drones) program
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix has approved the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for both the Police and Fire departments. The integration of this UAS technology is designed to enhance public safety by providing first responders with additional innovative tools.
Fire
On June 12, 2022, the Phoenix Fire Department initiated the first approved City of Phoenix Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) program. The goal of the program was to increase operational effectiveness and safety for both residents and firefighters.
This report will provide the Subcommittee with an update on the accomplishments of the first 12 months of the Fire Department’s UAS program as it relates to the development, implementation, initial operations, collaboration and how the Department intends to expand the program into the future.
As of May 31, 2023, they have successfully completed 722 total flights (includes training), totaling over 110 hours.
To date the Fire Department UAS have been utilized on the following mission types:
Structure Fires (increase situational awareness)
Brush Fires (brush assessment and life-safety/encampments)
Technical Rescue (overwatch from distance)
Investigations (fire scene photos, mapping, etc.)
Mountain Rescue (wide area search)
Public Affairs/Community Outreach
After 12 months the program has proven to be successful and is delivering results towards the program's goals of increased effectiveness and safety.
Police
On Nov. 7, 2022, the Phoenix Police department officially implemented their UAS program. The Department selected pilots and provided comprehensive hands-on flight training prior to program implementation. The Department identified three key focus areas for the deployment of UAS technology to support police operations:
Investigative Support (crime scene mapping, photos, etc.)
Event Management (planned/unplanned events, parades, etc.)
Tactical Support (Tactical scenarios, barricades, active-large scale incidents)
Between Nov. 7, 2022, and May 30, 2023, the Police Department deployed UAS flight teams 417 times in support of the following areas of operation:
236 for Tactical Support
144 for Investigative Support
26 for Event Management
11 Other Missions (Parks mapping, school demo, PAB video, etc.)
A breakdown by Council District includes:
46 missions in Council District 1
13 missions in Council District 2
35 missions in Council District 3
54 missions in Council District 4
57 missions in Council District 5
15 missions in Council District 6
88 missions in Council District 7
67 missions in Council District 8
42 missions outside the City, primarily to support Tactical Services Bureau Units
Each deployment was successfully executed and provided the Department and the community with an enhanced level of public safety. No safety or critical issues were identified.
Parks and Recreation
In April 2023, South Mountain Park and Preserve was utilized for a multi-agency UAS training event. In May, the Police Department assisted Parks and Recreation staff by utilizing their UAS to assess the reeds growing in the ponds at Papago Park to help inform pond maintenance and environmental efforts.
In May 2023, the Parks and Recreation Department submitted the department’s UAS application to the Privacy, Security and Technical Committee. Following the committee’s review and approval, Parks and Recreation Department’s program will then be reviewed by the UAS Executive Committee.
Once the program is approved, the department intends to move forward with acquiring the needed drone to begin operations in the following areas:
Trail inspection
Cultural resource monitoring
Invasive vegetation species monitoring
Trash and debris identification
Rescue assistance
Parks and Recreation staff have been coordinating efforts with the Police and Fire departments’ UAS programs in order to determine which platform would be most appropriate for the Parks and Recreation Department’s heavy mapping uses. A drone platform has been selected that will seamlessly integrate with mapping tools already used by the City.
Acquisition of the UAS will take several months with operations anticipated to begin by the end of 2023.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson, and the Police, Fire, and Parks and Recreation departments.