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Expert tells committee NeoPhix can help law enforcement use drones as first responders
Summary
Stuart Mandel, project director for the Northeast Ohio Flight Information Exchange (NeoPhix), testified that House Bill 251 would support safe deployment of drones for public safety as a first-responder capability and promote statewide coordination with federal, state and local rules; the bill was held to a second hearing.
Stuart Mandel, project director for the Northeast Ohio Flight Information Exchange (NeoPhix), told the Ohio House Transportation Committee on June 10 that House Bill 251 can help safely expand use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for public safety and commercial purposes by providing a common information platform for operators and authorities.
Mandel described NeoPhix as a system that “allows state and local government to publish key information to UAS operators and industry giving everyone engaged in public, commercial and civilian advanced air mobility, a clear common picture.” He said the platform is already used in northeastern Ohio and that the project’s goal is to enable safe law enforcement and emergency-response drone operations while respecting federal, state and local law.
Mandel emphasized the concept of “drones as a first responder” (DFR), saying it can reduce response times and increase safety. He cited Chula Vista Police Department in California as an early adopter that has dispatched drones on more than 22,000 calls with average response times of two to four minutes, compared with average officer response times he said can exceed 20 minutes.
Mandel gave local examples including a drone that helped officers communicate with an armed person on an apartment balcony and other cases where drones aided apprehension and welfare checks. He said HB 251 sets conditions “for public safety officials to work within the frame of local ordinances, community use cases for drone operations, and federal law” and that the bill can support statewide collaboration.
Committee members thanked Mandel for the testimony and said the bill “stands to the second hearing,” meaning it will return for further consideration.
