The Danville Life Saving Crew (DLSC) in Danville, Virginia will begin using small UAS to help them during search and rescue missions.

Through Piedmont Virginia Community College, five members of the DLSC spent 40 hours in UAS ground school, where they learned about FAA regulations, flight operations, human factors and radio communications, which prepared them for their FAA Remote Pilot Certificate exam.

Students participated in the field section of the UAS flight training on July 28. The five DLSC members, alongside Pittsylvania County Sheriff Mike Taylor and five members of the Pittsylvania Sheriff’s Office, demonstrated their flight skills at Dan Daniel Memorial Park.

For DLSC Special Operations Captain Scott Campbell, he is looking forward to the DLSC incorporating this technology into its operations.

“We’re really excited,” Campbell says.

“These small unmanned aircraft systems are amazing pieces of technology that will offer us information at emergency scene size ups that will assist us in deploying our personnel and equipment in a safe and timely manner.”

DLSC Assistant Director Bryan Fox echoes the sentiments of Campbell, saying that the UAS will be used during search and rescue responses, such as those involving the DLSC’s Swift Water and Dive Team.

Fox also says that the technology will be available for “mutual aid request by nearby agencies and state responses.”