This course trains remote pilots and public safety personnel to integrate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) safely and effectively into structured emergency response operations. Built around the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS), students learn to transition from ad-hoc manual flight to rigorous, reproducible tactical air operations during live incidents. Participants will master rapid pre-mission airspace appraisals, Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) navigation, tactical flight path planning, and operational risk assessments under high-stress conditions. The curriculum emphasizes multi-agency air-space deconfliction, thermal and optical sensor deployment, real-time tactical mapping, and situational awareness downlinks to Incident Commanders. Simulated scenarios encompass structural fires, hazardous material (HazMat) containment, missing-person search and rescue (SAR), and natural disaster damage assessments.

Instructor: Giovanni Rodas