Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners discuss FEMA award, ICS training and purchase of weather-capable drones for emergency response
Summary
Officials announced a FEMA award and planned free ICS training; commissioners also discussed buying two weather-capable drones (thermal-equipped) to improve search and response, noting pilot licensing, liability insurance and funding from a county donation fund.
Freestone County commissioners heard an update on emergency-management resources, including a FEMA award, free ICS training opportunities and plans to acquire upgraded drones capable of flying in adverse weather.
Commissioner (speaker 4) said the county received an award (transcribed as "14316657") tied to flood reimbursements and described it as likely the final award the county expects. He said the county plans to offer ICS training (described in the transcript as "ICS 304 hundred" classes, referenced as upcoming in August–September) and emphasized the classes are 100% free though attendance has been low.
Discussion then turned to drone capability. Commissioner (speaker 3) described new two-drone packages that include thermal sensors, eight batteries (four per drone), spare blades, spotlights, speakers for two-way communication, and hard cases; the new models were described as able to operate in rain and snow, a capability the county’s current drones lack. Participants debated logistics — whether to keep one or two drones, basing locations to ensure coverage, having multiple trained pilots and whether county insurance would cover liability if a drone caused damage.
Speakers emphasized pilot certification requirements: to fly drones commercially the operator must hold a Part 107 license, and the county discussed funding for pilot training and the timeline for getting additional pilots certified. Funding for the purchase was tied to an existing donation account; staff reported "a little over $100,000" remained in that account but also noted outstanding radio invoices.
The court did not adopt a purchasing motion during the excerpts in the transcript; commissioners directed staff to continue finalizing equipment quotes, verify insurance coverage and coordinate pilot training and deployment plans.
Next steps: staff to provide final quotes and funding details; commissioners signaled support for acquiring more capable drones for emergency response but no purchase order appears in the transcript.
