46 min
Episode 012: Drones: The Eyes of Public Safety Officers with Capt. Michael Lighthiser and Sargent Kevin Zodrow DRONERESPONDERS
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- Non-Profit
Charles Werner, your host, welcomes Kevin Zodrow and Michael Lighthiser to today’s episode. They engage in a deep conversation about how drones improved the effectiveness and success of operations carried by their departments while ensuring the safety of public safety officers.
Kevin Zodrow is a Sergeant with the Leesburg Police Department and currently serving in the Personnel & Training division focusing on talent development, recruiting background investigations, and agency-wide training. He is a Chief Remote Pilot in Command of the UAS Unit and previously served as a Detective in the Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) and former Team Leader of the department’s Emergency Response Team — Tactical Element.
Capt. Michael Lighthiser is a 12-year veteran of the Mason Department of Police and Public Safety. Michael oversees the department’s special operations, research, and training efforts coordinated by Mason Police.
Key Takeaways:
[1:04] Kevin introduces himself.
[1:30] Mike talks about his role as a captain with the George Mason Police Department.
[2:06] How did Kevin get involved in UAS?
[2:51] Mike shares how he began his journey with the UAS.
[3:37] Kevin shares how they began hearing stories about the advantages of using drones.
[4:33] Kevin talks about the starting point of the training program at the Leesburg Police Department.
[6:20] Mike talks about the beginnings of the training program at the George Mason Police Department.
[7:05] DRONE RESPONDERS is working on the creation of a Nationwide public safety UAS program database.
[7:28] Kevin and Mike explain the work their departments are doing together.
[8:40] The matter of public acceptance and open communication with the community.
[11:03] How George Mason University uses drones.
[12:08] Kevin talks about the initial missions they are going to do with the drones.
[13:42] Many ways in which drones can be used for public safety.
[14:15] Drones allow officers to see with their own eyes in order to make the best possible decisions.
[16:30] Mike shares how operators and supervisors are increasingly looking for drones seeking for more effectiveness in their operations.
[17:37] Kevin talks about the benefits of having drones for achieving cost-effective and successful operations.
[19:17] Kevin and Mike talk about the use of drones in fire or HAZMAT situations.
[23:30] A comparison between the levels of service of helicopters and drones.
[24:41] Are Kevin and Mike flying under CoEp or FAA 107?
[25:33] How is the NCR (National Camper Region) playing into training and operations?
[27:21] When did Kevin and Michael start their programs?
[28:00] The NIST course.
[29:16] What types of aircraft do Kevin and Michael fly at their departments?
[32:01] How many people do Kevin and Michael have on their teams?
[32:36] Michael and Kevin share their most notable missions.
[36:55] The use of drones prevents officers from being in positions where they can get injured.
[40:15] What do Mike and Kevin have to say to agencies that still don’t have drone programs?
[43:53] Would you make critical command decisions with your eyes closed?
Mentioned in this episode:
Airborne International Response Team
Presented by AiRXOS, part of GE Aviation with additional support from FIRSTiZ and Pix4D
AIRT is the leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting Drones For Good and Public Safety UAS
Become a member of Drone Responders for free.
AIRT and DRONERESPONDERS 2020 Drones in Public Safety Survey
Drone Responders Events
Charles Werner, your host, welcomes Kevin Zodrow and Michael Lighthiser to today’s episode. They engage in a deep conversation about how drones improved the effectiveness and success of operations carried by their departments while ensuring the safety of public safety officers.
Kevin Zodrow is a Sergeant with the Leesburg Police Department and currently serving in the Personnel & Training division focusing on talent development, recruiting background investigations, and agency-wide training. He is a Chief Remote Pilot in Command of the UAS Unit and previously served as a Detective in the Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) and former Team Leader of the department’s Emergency Response Team — Tactical Element.
Capt. Michael Lighthiser is a 12-year veteran of the Mason Department of Police and Public Safety. Michael oversees the department’s special operations, research, and training efforts coordinated by Mason Police.
Key Takeaways:
[1:04] Kevin introduces himself.
[1:30] Mike talks about his role as a captain with the George Mason Police Department.
[2:06] How did Kevin get involved in UAS?
[2:51] Mike shares how he began his journey with the UAS.
[3:37] Kevin shares how they began hearing stories about the advantages of using drones.
[4:33] Kevin talks about the starting point of the training program at the Leesburg Police Department.
[6:20] Mike talks about the beginnings of the training program at the George Mason Police Department.
[7:05] DRONE RESPONDERS is working on the creation of a Nationwide public safety UAS program database.
[7:28] Kevin and Mike explain the work their departments are doing together.
[8:40] The matter of public acceptance and open communication with the community.
[11:03] How George Mason University uses drones.
[12:08] Kevin talks about the initial missions they are going to do with the drones.
[13:42] Many ways in which drones can be used for public safety.
[14:15] Drones allow officers to see with their own eyes in order to make the best possible decisions.
[16:30] Mike shares how operators and supervisors are increasingly looking for drones seeking for more effectiveness in their operations.
[17:37] Kevin talks about the benefits of having drones for achieving cost-effective and successful operations.
[19:17] Kevin and Mike talk about the use of drones in fire or HAZMAT situations.
[23:30] A comparison between the levels of service of helicopters and drones.
[24:41] Are Kevin and Mike flying under CoEp or FAA 107?
[25:33] How is the NCR (National Camper Region) playing into training and operations?
[27:21] When did Kevin and Michael start their programs?
[28:00] The NIST course.
[29:16] What types of aircraft do Kevin and Michael fly at their departments?
[32:01] How many people do Kevin and Michael have on their teams?
[32:36] Michael and Kevin share their most notable missions.
[36:55] The use of drones prevents officers from being in positions where they can get injured.
[40:15] What do Mike and Kevin have to say to agencies that still don’t have drone programs?
[43:53] Would you make critical command decisions with your eyes closed?
Mentioned in this episode:
Airborne International Response Team
Presented by AiRXOS, part of GE Aviation with additional support from FIRSTiZ and Pix4D
AIRT is the leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting Drones For Good and Public Safety UAS
Become a member of Drone Responders for free.
AIRT and DRONERESPONDERS 2020 Drones in Public Safety Survey
Drone Responders Events
46 min