Hurricane Helene has hit Georgia hard, and like any big disaster, people want to help. And let’s face it—#drones make it easier than ever for everyday people to jump into action. But here’s the thing: while your drone might seem like a great tool for checking out damage or helping with search and rescue, it can actually do more harm than good. That’s why Georgia’s Mayor, Pete Buttigieg, recently asked everyone to stop flying drones during recovery efforts.
Now, you might be thinking, “Isn’t it better to have more eyes in the sky?” Well, not quite. Let’s break down why it’s super important to leave drone flying to the professionals during a disaster and how we can all learn from this when it comes to Puerto Rico’s own emergency responses.
1. Clear Skies for the Pros
When there’s a major disaster, you’ve got helicopters, official drones, and planes all up in the air trying to manage the situation. It’s like rush-hour traffic, but in the sky—and without the traffic lights. If too many people start flying their own drones, things can get messy fast. Airspace needs to be clear so emergency responders can get in and out safely.
2. Too Much Info, Too Little Coordination
Drone footage from citizens might look helpful, but it can confuse the people running the show. Rescue teams need accurate, real-time data they can trust. When hundreds of people upload drone footage from different angles and locations, it overwhelms the system, making it harder to focus on what matters most.
3. Drone Signals Can Mess with Rescue Ops
It’s not just about flying drones—those little machines can actually mess with communication between rescue teams on the ground and in the air. In a disaster, every second counts. If a rescue team can’t talk to their helicopter pilot because a random drone is interfering with their signals, that could lead to serious delays or even accidents.
4. Doubling Up on Efforts
Imagine spending time flying your drone over an area, only to find out that five other people just did the exact same thing. That’s wasted time and effort. When pros fly, they’ve got a plan. They know which areas need to be covered, and they don’t duplicate efforts. Random flights just cause confusion.
5. Protecting People’s Privacy
In disaster situations, privacy becomes even more important. People’s homes and lives are exposed in ways they don’t want broadcasted. Official teams are trained to handle this responsibly, whereas citizen drones might unintentionally capture private information that ends up all over social media.
Keeping Everyone in the Loop: How Government Agencies Can Help
When disasters strike, it’s normal for the public to feel anxious or in the dark about what’s really happening. That’s where agencies like #FEMA and #USDOT need to step up their game and use social media and their platforms to give real-time updates. People want to see what’s going on and know that help is on the way. By sharing videos, pictures, and progress reports, the government and municipalities can ease public anxiety and build trust—because seeing recovery in action is a lot more reassuring than just hearing about it.
How PAUSA365 Fits Into the Picture
Now, let’s talk about what all this means for us here in Puerto Rico. While PAUSA365 isn’t involved in the emergency response for Hurricane Helene, there’s a lot certified drone operators on the island can learn from this situation. When it comes to #emergencymanagement here in #PuertoRico, having a team that knows the rules and works alongside the government is key.
At #PAUSA365, we can be that option. Our team is trained to fly drones safely, gather the right data, and work directly with emergency responders to make sure everything runs smoothly. Whether it’s flying over disaster areas to assess damage or providing real-time visuals for the government to share with the public, we can make sure Puerto Rico’s disaster response is efficient, safe, and transparent.
Drones can be a game-changer in disaster recovery, but only if they’re used the right way. By working together, we can make sure the public stays informed and the professionals have the space they need to get the job done. We’re ready to be part of that solution here in Puerto Rico. Let’s learn from what’s happening in the U.S. and make sure we’re ready for whatever comes next.