Division Chief Kevin Fetterman Testifies Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise

McLean, VA— In testimony before the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement and the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology of the Committee on Homeland Security, Division Chief Kevin Fetterman highlighted the urgent need to address the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their role across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enterprise.

Chief Fetterman pointed to the increased number of fire and EMS departments deploying UAS to assist with emergency operations, improve situational awareness, deliver resources, and provide specialized capabilities for search and rescue and other specialized missions. However, he stressed that the public must responsibly use UAS and not be allowed to interfere with emergency operations or endanger the lives of the public or first responders.

To successfully utilize UAS on incident scenes, they must be integrated with Fire Traffic Areas (FTA). The FTAs were established as interagency airspace management tools for standard communication protocols. The FTA can be further defined as airspace with a five-nautical mile radius from an incident during suppression operations. FTAs are a layered approach to aeronautical management. Within FTAs, coordination occurs with helicopters, fixed-wing tanker aircraft, command and control aircraft, intelligence-gathering aircraft, and UAS used by public safety. When recreational or non-public safety UAS encroach upon FTAs or areas covered by the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR), they create a significant danger for the fire service aircraft and personnel.

Chief Fetterman underscored the need to "coordinate the use of federal, state, and local UAS, so incident commanders can get a better understanding of emergency incidents and even identify and provide resources to victims." He emphasized that "we must work to make the airspace safer for emergency responders. The federal government needs to be more aggressive in developing and enforcing restrictions on public UAS incursions."

The challenge of UAS incursions creates an extreme risk factor in situations such as fires, disasters, or at the border. Chief Fetterman suggested that the following steps can be taken to reduce/eliminate UAS incursions from incidents such as wildfires and ways in which UAS operations can be strengthened for first responders:

• Develop and enact legislation that would thwart pilots of UAS incursions into FTAs/TFRs. Legal protections should be in place to maximize the ability of first responders to save lives.
• Formulate and implement clear UAS mitigation procedures. Identifying federal law enforcement personnel and processes for eliminating threats to public safety UAS operations.
• Enhance Remote ID Requirements and reduce Remote ID bypasses.
• Establish formal coordination plans with all relevant local, state, and federal stakeholders.
• Implement effective public awareness campaigns and develop continuing education for the public about the safe operation of UAS.
• Encourage UAS manufacturers to develop solutions that universally support the emergency operations of American first responders.  

The IAFC is committed to working closely with all stakeholders to incentivize the available use of UAS for local public safety agencies while ensuring their safe operation by the public.

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