LTC 388-2018 Multi-Agency Disaster Response Exercise Using DroneMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 388-2018 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of
DATE: July 12, 2018
SUBJECT: Multi-Agency Disaster Respons Exercise Using Drones
The purpose of this L TC is to advise you of a disaster response field exercise involving City
departments and partner organizations that will take place Saturday, July 141h, 2018.
In a combined public/private effort, South Florida first responders from several agencies with
varied capabilities will come together for a disaster field exercise in order to train and prepare
through a simulated disaster. The exercise will focus on the use of unmanned aircraft systems
(UAS) --more commonly known as drones -to improve response outcomes.
Participating agencies, including Florida International University's Academy of International
Emergency Preparedness; Miami Dade Fire Rescue and Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task
Force 2 (sponsored by the City of Miami); Miami Beach Police; and Airborne Response, Inc., will
convene at the FIU Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the
exercise. Other participants include members of the Miami Beach Department of Emergency
Management, Miami Beach Public Works GIS personnel, and the City's Communications and
Marketing team.
This effort will stress the importance of public and private agencies working collaboratively. The
teams will be located at a comprehensive disaster ·base camp set up on the campus' "Ropes
Course" where they will conduct damage assessment, crime scene documentation, search and
rescue activities combining drones with K9's and ground crews. In one planned scenario,
MBFD's own drone will deliver a lifejacket to a person in the water to assess the feasibility in a
realistic setting.
A key tenet of emergency management is to have responders working together before the
incident to assess the capabilities of their personnel and equipment as well as their plans. This
exercise is designed to do just that.
The FIU campus is located at 3000 NE 151 51 Street in North Miami. The exercise takes place
from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Saturday, July 14, 2018.
C: Executive Staff
Management Team
JM/JRM/MR