Todd County emergency officials got their first look Tuesday evening at a new drone, delivered last week from the Pennyrile Area Development District, which will assist in their operations.
During the Disaster and Emergency Services meeting, Emergency Management Director Ash Groves spoke about the over $30,000 drone. This drone is one of nine acquired through the 2023 Disaster Supplemental Funding – Disaster Resiliency Capacity Building Project, an initiative supported by a $588,092 grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Groves told Your WEKT News Edge the drone will be used to support search and recovery efforts in the county.
Groves told emergency officials during the meeting that he’d be the first to receive drone operation training. Afterward, he plans for others to get their FAA Part 107 licenses. Groves plans to finish his training in the next month.
An insurance policy will also have to be purchased on the drone through the Kentucky Association of Counties.
In related news, the Local Emergency Planning Committee approved its new board positions for the upcoming year at a preceding meeting.
Daniel Smith, former Todd County Emergency Manager, will stay on as Chair of the group, and Groves will step in as Vice-Chair. Kristy Wyatt and Misty Carlock will continue in their roles as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.
