Trenton, New Jersey. First responders should exercise caution and keep a safe distance when they come across crashed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to a recent safety notice from the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. The bulletin highlights the risks and hazards that may arise from such occurrences.
The FBI Newark office and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) collaborated to create the December alert, which provides firefighters and other emergency responders who come across downed drones with stringent safety precautions. Avoiding physical contact with the UAV and utilizing the Emergency Response Guidebook’s guidelines to create a 330-foot isolation and evacuation zone in all directions are two of the most important recommendations.
First responders are cautioned not to reenter the isolation zone once it has been formed and are instructed to secure the perimeter while wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Responders are also told to call the FBI and local law enforcement, and to ask for help from bomb squads and hazardous materials response teams to evaluate the situation.
According to the alert, Hazardous Materials Response Teams should treat the occurrence as unknown and adhere to standard environmental monitoring protocols. They should also advise using radiation monitoring equipment and being mindful of any possible electronic interference in the vicinity.
Along with stressing that downed UAV incidents should be handled as law enforcement cases, the guidance urges responders to use established channels, such as the NJ Office of Homeland Security’s CTWatch hotline, to report any suspicious activity that may be connected to terrorism or targeted violence.
The comprehensive proposals seek to improve public and emergency personnel safety while guaranteeing in-depth investigations of drone-related events.
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