AIRT Helps Save Lives with Drones, Esri ArcGIS, and other Location Intelligence Technologies

Collaboration effort through DRONERESPONDERS program will also create a global database and map of deployable UAS assets for a wide range of public safety-related missions

MIAMI BEACH, FL - April 7, 2021 – Airborne International Response Team (AIRT), the leading 501(c)3 organization supporting Drones For Good™ for emergencies and disaster response announces their participation in Esri’s Partner Network Program. Esri, is the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping. AIRT is also home to DRONRESPONDERS – the world’s fastest-growing non-profit program supporting the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and related technologies by public safety and emergency services agencies.

The announcement was made during Drones: Taking Stock of a Growing National Capability presented at the InSPIRE Innovation Summit for Preparedness and Resilience, hosted by the National Alliance for Public Safety GIS (NAPSG) Foundation. The NAPSG Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed in 2005 to overcome challenges faced by Federal, tribal, state, and local public safety agencies. Esri is a platinum-level sponsor of InSPIRE.

As an Esri Partner, AIRT will receive access to wide array of geographic information system (GIS) tools, software, and support to better enable AIRT drone teams to prepare for and respond to complex incidents such as hurricanes and wildfires. Esri will also provide ArcGIS resources to help DRONERESPONDERS enhance support for public safety drone programs around the globe.

“We are excited to support the mission of AIRT and DRONERESPONDERS to help people during times of crisis by combining cutting-edge drone technology with the power of location intelligence,” said Ryan Lanclos, Director of Public Safety Solutions & Disaster Response, Esri. “Insights gleaned from aerial sensing combined with real-time capabilities will allow responders to improve planning and situational awareness surrounding all types of emergencies.”

One of the Esri tools that AIRT plans to test is Site Scan for ArcGIS, the end-to-end cloud-based drone mapping software designed to revolutionize imagery collection, processing, and analysis. Site Scan offers first responders a robust portfolio of tools such as fleet management, flight planning, and imagery processing and analysis offering a robust solution for public safety operations with UAS.

“Every disaster response organization is seeking a turnkey solution that can rapidly and accurately collect data and process it into actionable intelligence,” says Christopher Todd, Executive Director of AIRT and a Certified Emergency Manager®. “We are excited to partner with Esri to deploy ArcGIS and Site Scan technology into real world planning and response efforts around the globe.”

ESRI will also be providing technical support to AIRT and the DRONERESPONDERS program to help bolster the ability of public safety agencies to use aerial sensing and GIS data processing technologies. The first phase of this initiative will involve the creation of a global geo-referenced database of public safety UAS program across the U.S. and around the world.

“We will use Esri technology to help compile the most accurate directory of public safety UAS/RPAS programs and assets around the globe,” said Chief Charles Werner, Director of the DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance. “Our goal is to increase collaboration between UAS programs, provide updates on regulatory and technical issues, and help to coordinate mutual assistance and asset deployments across all types of jurisdictions for people in need during complex emergencies.”

About AIRT

AIRT® (Airborne International Response Team) is a Miami, Florida-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that facilitates Drones For Good™ for complex emergencies and major disasters. AIRT is the official home of DRONERESPONDERS, the world’s fastest growing non-profit program supporting public safety UAS. Our global remote pilot network is ready to #getup whenever disaster strikes. For more information, visit: http://airt.ngo or http://droneresponders.org

About Esri

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations globally and in over 200,000 institutions in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial information technology, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics. Visit us at esri.com