**** Info via Halifax SAR
In 2020 HSAR started to develop a Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) for our team. The founder of our RPAS program was team member Kevin Burnett, who recognized the need for a highly structured and disciplined approach.
While Kevin sadly passed away in 2021, his torch was carried by the rest of the team, who continued developing the robust policies, documentation, training, and pilot certifications needed to support this initiative.
In October of 2022, the team RPAS dream was turned in to reality. This was made possible through a donation from Kim Conrad of Conrad’s Quarry and by the Province of Nova Scotia, through the $10,000 emergency services grant supplied to all Fire departments and GSAR teams. The combined funds allowed us to purchase our first drone.
Our RPAS committee reached a new and exciting milestone.
We are excited to share that we received Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) authorization from Transport Canada. This approval allows HSAR to operate its search and rescue drone up to 3 kilometers away from the pilot, without having to maintain visual sight of the aircraft.
BVLOS approval also means our pilots can now get our drone in the air faster, and immediately search the target area, even if it is up to 3 kilometers away and beyond a hill or treeline. This allows for a rapid lifesaving response, feeding critical visibility and information back to search managers and searchers on the ground.
We are only aware of one other SAR/Fire Service in Canada with this designation (Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais – Ottawa Volunteer SAR).
This is a milestone achievement for our members and is a hallmark of the dedication of our members to the lost, missing, and injured person in the HRM.
