AAM Working Group

Hi everyone,

My name is Ryan Duques.

I hold my FAA Part 107, and I am currently working with our local Office of Emergency Management to spearhead the creation of a specialized Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the Town of Madison, CT.

Unlike traditional generalist CERTs, we are building a "Dual-Track" unit with a heavy focus on deploying a dedicated Aviation (Drone) Unit. Our goal is to utilize volunteer licensed pilots to directly support our sworn Police and Fire personnel with rapid aerial Search & Rescue (SAR) along our coastline/beaches and wooded terrain, as well as providing immediate post-storm damage assessments along our shore.

As we navigate the administrative, funding, and operational hurdles of getting a municipal drone unit off the ground—including navigating Connecticut's new NDAA-compliant purchasing mandates—I am thrilled to have found this group. I am eager to learn from your collective experience regarding Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) and ensuring our public safety missions safely integrate into the NAS.

If anyone has advice, lessons learned, or sample SOPs for standing up a volunteer-based public safety aviation unit, I would love to connect.

Thank you to Jason and Robert for leading this, and I look forward to contributing to the group!

Best,

Ryan Duques Madison, CT ryan.duques@gmail.com