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NANTICOKE — The technology is there, as well as the applications, so it’s up to Ray Iwanowski to figure out what type of drone would best meet the needs of police departments in the Back Mountain.

The Lehman Township supervisor was among the dozen people who attended, “The Introduction to Drones in Public Safety” seminar Thursday at the Public Safety Training Institute at Luzerne County Community College.

“We’ve got plenty of uses for it because we’re all rural,” Iwanowski said after briefly piloting a drone above the parking lot of the Institute.

A partnership of municipalities in the Back Mountain received a $30,000 state grant for drone applications to be used by Dallas, Jackson, Kingston and Lehman townships and Dallas borough police departments.

“We’re just trying to decide which type and what kind of equipment we need to get it started,” Iwanowski said.

The coverage area includes Harveys Lake, two reservoirs, state parks, college and high school campuses. “So it would have a lot of applications,” Iwanowski said.

Police and fire departments around the country have added drones to their equipment lists and used them in a growing number of applications from search and rescue, investigations, hazard material spills and damage assessment, explained seminar presenter Detective Sgt. David Lewis of the Hanover Township Police Department.

“It’s a computer with a camera that flies,” Lewis told the attendees during the classroom portion of the free seminar.

Lewis said he uses his drone as the township’s emergency management coordinator. The township police department does not yet have an official drone program, he said.

The use of unmanned aircraft systems, the Federal Aviation Administration designation for drones, is regulated by the government agency that requires licenses or certificates for operators, Lewis said. The FAA sets rules for where and when UAS devices can be flown.

However, police and fire and even media who are licensed to fly the eyes in the sky can obtain waivers to lift some restrictions and operate them when it’s in the public interest. More information about licensing and operation can be found at faa.gov/uas.

The Hemlock Township police department in Columbia County has a drone and is waiting for authorization to use it, said police officer Daniel O’Donnell.

There are endless capabilities when you need to take an image from an elevated platform, O’Donnell said.

“Basically, you’re bringing that state police helicopter that would take hours to request to get here, having it. I have mine in my patrol car right now,” O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell said he’s received his FAA license to fly a drone. “It’s a challenge. You’ve got to study. You’re taking a pilot’s test, he said. “What the FAA is really looking for is your knowledge of airspace. They don’t want you anywhere near manned aircraft.”

Bill Barrett, director of Safety & Security at LCCC, said he’s considering a follow-up to the seminar.

“I think it’s something that were going to be looking at,” Barrett said. “As you can see, there’s a lot more to it than just flying drones.”

Hanover Township Detective Sgt. David Lewis demonstrates a drone flight with first responders Thursday at the Public Safety Training Institute at Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_TTL090619Drone1.jpg.optimal.jpgHanover Township Detective Sgt. David Lewis demonstrates a drone flight with first responders Thursday at the Public Safety Training Institute at Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Hanover Township Detective Sgt. David Lewis, right, talks with Ray Iwanowski, a Lehman Township supervisor, Thursday while demonstrating a drone flight with first responders at the Public Safety Training Institute at Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_TTL090619Drone2.jpg.optimal.jpgHanover Township Detective Sgt. David Lewis, right, talks with Ray Iwanowski, a Lehman Township supervisor, Thursday while demonstrating a drone flight with first responders at the Public Safety Training Institute at Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

By Jerry Lynott

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Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.