The Bureau of Telecommunications and Post (BTP) in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) recently launched a drone training programme aimed at strengthening response efforts to calamities for members of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).The timing was certainly right, with this year’s Atlantic hurricane seasons expected to reach its peak during the coming months.
The three-day course provided certification in operations including flight safety, regulatory compliance and emergency response procedures. It focussed on national aviation laws, privacy and data protection, airspace classifications and technological components.
That efforts are being made to regulate this matter is good news for those worried about the growing and seemingly indiscriminate use of these remote unmanned planes on the island for a variety of purposes such as showcasing real estate and other property, making promotional videos, etcetera.
While basic rules like minimum distance from airports, the harbour and other sensitive areas already exist, other – less clear – limitations are needed to protect people’s rights. It cannot be so that, for example, someone in their walled-in backyard invisible from neighbours can be effectively spied on from the air unchecked.
As reported in Thursday’s newspaper, several police officers also participated in the training. They combined theoretical instruction with practical exercises on the use of drones in surveillance, crime scene analysis and search-and-rescue missions.
In total, 17 professionals from various Emergency Support Functions (see today’s related story) successfully completed the course aimed at strengthening the island’s disaster response capabilities. They also represented the Volunteer Corps St. Maarten VKS; the Fire Department; the Department of Communications; the Civil Aviation Authority; the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Inspectorate; utility company GEBE; and BTP.
Hopefully all these authorities and officials can help enforce related policies and restrictions, because that promises to become a major challenge going forward. Ensuring a responsible operation of drones in local skies will be no easy task.
