SJCFR UAS Operation Policy Quiz

Purpose and Scope

• The purpose of the procedures is to ensure safe, efficient, and lawful operation of the Saint Johns County Fire Rescue (SJCFR) unmanned aerial system (UAS).
• The scope of this policy applies to all personnel of SJCFR.

Philosophy and Mission Statement

• The mission of SJCFR personnel trained in UAS is to respond to and mitigate emergency situations.
• UAS operators will make reasonable efforts to not invade a person's reasonable expectation of privacy when operating the UAS.

Protection of Rights and Privacy

• UAS operators and observers will ensure the protection of private individuals' civil rights and reasonable expectations of privacy.
• UAS operators will not conduct random surveillance activities.
• The use of UAS is tightly controlled and regulated.
• A committee is formed to review UAS procedures, new technologies, laws, and regulations.

Definitions

• Aircraft: any apparatus invented, used, or designed to navigate, or fly in, the air.
• Airport: a landing area used regularly by aircraft for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo.
• Civil aircraft: an aircraft except a public aircraft.

Organization

• The UAS unit is comprised of personnel approved by SJCFR, including operators, observers, and others.
• Assignment to the UAS crew is carefully selected by SJCFR.

Personnel

• The UAS flight coordinator or pilot(s)-in-command (PIC) are responsible for the overall direction and performance of the UAS unit.
• UAS Coordinator Responsibilities: maintaining records, evaluating airframes, and communicating with the FAA.
• Operators: must meet the requirements for and successfully pass a SJCFR approved UAS Operators Course.
• Observers: must have sufficient training to communicate clearly to the operator.

Facilities

• UAS operations are housed and maintained at a designated location.
• Personnel must ensure the UAS equipment is secured before leaving the location.

Scheduling

• The UAS will be made available to all UAS flight crew members.
• Operators are required to conduct training every three months to maintain proficiency.

Miscellaneous

• Inquiries from the news media must be forwarded to the SJCFR Fire Chief or their designee.
• Requests for support from third-parties will be responded to by the UAS coordinator.
• Complaints or inquiries regarding UAS operations must be referred to the UAS coordinator.

Safety

• SJCFR is committed to having a safe and healthy workplace.
• The duty of every member within the UAS flight crew is to contribute to the goal of continued safe operations.
• Any safety hazard, whether procedural, operational, or maintenance related, must be identified and reported.

Operational Hazard and Occurrence Report (OHOR) and Investigations

• The OHOR concept provides a mechanism to report hazards and occurrences to those responsible for UAS operations.
• Every hazard and/or occurrence is investigated, with the results and corrective action taken communicated to all members.

Safety Officer - Operator/Observer/Coordinator

• All members of the UAS flight crew are responsible for ensuring safety, observing and controlling safety systems, and reviewing standards and practices.

Safety Training

• All members shall receive training in the following subjects prior to operating the UAS: fire department commitment to safety, department policy, UAS member's role in safety, and emergency safety procedures.

Medical Factors

• Operator and Observers shall only deploy the UAS when rested and emotionally prepared for the tasks at hand.
• Physical illness, exhaustion, emotional problems, etc. can impair judgment, memory, and alertness.

Training

• The key to continued safe operations is by maintaining a professional level of competency.
• Instructors shall develop training courses, provide training, and student evaluation and documentation.
• A yearly training plan shall be developed by the UAS coordinator and will require, at the minimum, quarterly objectives.
• All members shall have a UAS training file that reflects all training objectives achieved.### Deployment Priorities
• UAS shall not be used for random surveillance
• Requests for UAS support are prioritized as:
• Preservation of Life and Property
• Assess and Mitigate hazardous situations

Flight Boundaries

• UAS shall not be deployed inside restricted airspace without permission from the local FAA FSDO and approval by local authorities
• Maximum altitude shall not exceed 400 feet per FAA regulatory standards

Minimum Personnel Requirements

• Minimum personnel required on ALL missions: operator and observer
• Operator shall not attempt to complete a deployment alone
• Observer shall be used when available during training

Personnel Responsibilities for Deployments

• Operator:
• Directly responsible for the operation of the UAS
• Final authority over the actual operation of the UAS
• Responsible for compliance with policy, company policy and procedure, and FAA regulations
• Responsible for documentation for mission training and updating of flight books
• Observer:
• Responsible for the operational aspect of the deployment
• Responsible for operating attachments to the UAS
• Responsible for remaining alert for suspicious persons or activities on the ground and coordinating response by other UAS flight crewmembers
• Responsible for documentation for mission training and updating of flight books

Personal Equipment

• Operators/Observers shall wear eye protection at all times while the UAS is in flight
• Operators/Observers should take necessary measures to deploy in a professional manner
• Operators/Observers should wear Hi-Visible vests when appropriate
• Operators/Observers should take into consideration the current weather conditions when planning to deploy

Pre-Flight/Post-Flight Actions Inspections

• Operators/Observers are responsible for a thorough pre-flight inspection of the UAS
• Operator and observer shall conduct a thorough inspection of the UAS before and after each deployment
• Any issues found that will put in jeopardy the safe operation of the UAS shall be documented and resolved immediately prior to flight

Weather

• Operator/Observer shall ensure that they gather enough information to make themselves familiar with the weather situation existing throughout the area of deployment
• Operator shall utilize FAA approved weather resources to obtain the latest and most current weather conditions

Documentation

• Inspection and weather will be documented prior to flight within the log book
• After each flight, the operator will complete a statement documenting the UAS operations

Planning

• Operator/Observer shall familiarize themselves with all available information concerning the deployment
• Operator shall ensure that the location for take-off and emergency landing is adequate for a safe deployment

Checklists

• Operators shall utilize pre-flight checklists to ensure the highest level of safety for deployment

Maintenance

• Manufacturer's maintenance schedule shall be followed and properly documented