BOTHELL, Wash. - The Property Drone Consortium (PDC), a collaboration that consists of insurance carriers, roofing industry leaders and supporting enterprises announced a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T).

The agreement will leverage the knowledge base, capabilities, and resources of the parties to the agreement to advance the understanding of the use of UAS for public safety missions.

“As sales of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for commercial use has proliferated in the past few months there remains an enormous potential for their use for post-catastrophe response,” said Charles Mondello, PDC president. “UAS data can be used by first responders, as well as by insurers and owners of other properties and structures looking to assess damage and take remedial action relative to providing assistance to victims, quick assessment of claims, and urgent repairs.” 

Together with the PDC, the CRADA will bring together the efforts of the DHS S&T’s First Responders Group (FRG) and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC).

“We envision UAS to play a key role in public safety response in the future,” said Stephen Hancock, special projects director for S&T FRG. “This research agreement between DHS S&T partners and the PDC will not only help enhance our understanding of the potential use of UAS, but also provide a framework for collaborative public and private response in post-catastrophe events.”

For more information, visit www.propertydrone.org.