Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Millard County Commission approves funding for search-and-rescue drones and volunteer training
Summary
The commission approved funding to buy search-and-rescue drones and reimburse volunteer pilot training and travel after officials and the sheriff’s office highlighted faster deployment and thermal imaging for nighttime rescues.
The Millard County Commission voted to approve funding for the purchase of search‑and‑rescue drones and to support volunteer pilot certification, the commission heard on the meeting’s consent items.
An unidentified speaker summarized the package as covering costs for at least four volunteers to obtain official drone pilot licenses, certification and travel reimbursements to Salt Lake. The speaker said the drones include thermal imaging and allow in‑flight communications, making them useful for locating lost or injured people at night.
Sheriff Jacobson urged support for the purchase, saying the technology would protect search teams and reduce the need to scramble larger resources. "It keeps the men and women safer on the searches," Sheriff Jacobson said during the discussion.
Commission questions focused on which department’s budget would pay for equipment and training. Staff confirmed the plan was currently in the tourism/materials line for 2025 but said the devices and training would be used by Search and Rescue. Commissioners discussed whether the expense should come from the search‑and‑rescue budget; staff said there was no mitigation budget allocated for 2026.
A motion to approve purchase and training was made, seconded and approved by voice vote (recorded in the transcript as "Aye"). The approved action authorizes purchase now and volunteer certification to follow, with volunteers agreeing to complete required training and licensing.
Next steps include executing procurement for the drones and coordinating travel and licensing for volunteers; staff indicated one volunteer has already pursued licensing independently.
