(Charlottesville, Va.) – Piedmont Virginia Community College and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management are partnering to hold a national unmanned aerial systems (UAS) drone conference and summit in February.
The 2017 National UAS Drone Summit will be held at Roseland Farms in Crozet from Monday, Feb. 27, through Wednesday, March 1, 2017, and is intended for professionals in law enforcement, public safety, search and rescue, emergency services and disaster relief who are using or want to use drones as part of their operation.
“The summit will draw professionals from across the U.S. and Canada to discuss best practices and the new technologies available to them,” said Darren Goodbar, PVCC UAS instructor and director of aerial services at Draper Aden Associates. “This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for practitioners in public agencies to network and share ideas and insights on integration and deployment of UAS technology during an emergency or incident response.”
The three-day summit will include a series of workshops, breakout sessions, networking events, and a full day dedicated to scenario demonstrations and trainings. Presenters will include representatives from the National Association for Search and Rescue, the Center for Robotic-Assisted Search and Rescue, the National Weather Service, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Florida State University’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program and others, along with several UAS technology companies.
There is no fee to attend the summit. Attendance is limited to 150 participants with preference given to public safety, fire, rescue, law enforcement and other emergency/disaster response members or affiliated organizations. Attendees are responsible for their own accommodations and travel arrangements.
To register or learn more, visit www.pvcc.edu/uassummit, or call 434.961.5354.