AIRT, the non-profit organization advancing the use of Drones For Good and AAM for Good, has announced the DRONERESPONDERS Texas Public Safety Coordination Group (TEXGRU), a state-wide coordination group led by public safety UAS leaders with the non-profit mission of providing education, training, knowledge sharing and emergency coordination among operators of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and related technologies within the Lone Star state.
TEXGRU represents an evolution of the current Texas Public Safety UAS Working group established by first responders several years ago.
TEXGRU membership will be comprised of public safety members from law enforcement, the fire service, emergency management, transportation, and other government sectors, as well as critical infrastructure operations, the aviation industry, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders.
Jason Day, Director of UAS for the Texas Department of Public Safety and Co-Director of DRONESRESPONDERS Texas Public Safety Coordination Group: “The implementation of TEXGRU represents a new chapter for the public safety unmanned aviation sector across Texas.”
“Our goal is to ensure training standards, expand stakeholder coordination and bolster capacity for how we respond to critical incidents, emergencies and potential catastrophes across the state.”
TEXGRU’s non-profit activities will include monthly coordination group calls for members, regional training workshops, and annual conference in the Austin area and specialized support for stakeholders during pre-planned events and rapidly expanding incidents.
On-demand advocacy and industry support will be provided to TEXGRU by the AUVSI Lone Star Chapter, the official Texas chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). AIRT previously established a Memorandum of Understanding with AUVSI Lone Star for this purpose.
Adrian Doko, President of AUVSI Lone Star said: “The TEXGRU mission is essential towards advancing the use of autonomous vehicle systems for public safety and emergencies.
“We wholeheartedly support the expanded use of UAS by Texas public safety agencies and look forward to supporting this endeavor.”
Christopher Todd, Executive Director, AIRT said: “We are extremely excited about expanding the DRONERESPONDERS Coordination Group model to Texas. Jason and the Texas team have already established an extremely solid working group foundation.
“Our mission is to now formalize, expand and connect TEXGRU with the DRONERESPONDERS network of global public safety and emergency services professionals using UAS and associated technology to help improve outcomes for incidents and emergencies throughout Texas, across the U.S. and around the world.”
AIRT, the non-profit organization, has announced the DRONERESPONDERS Texas Public Safety Coordination Group (TEXGRU), a state-wide coordination group which represents an evolution of the current Texas Public Safety UAS Working group established by first responders several years ago.
