As part of North Shore Rescue’s “Rescue Fest” fundraising weekend, they’ve unveiled the newest addition to their fleet of technology: a DJI Phantom 3 drone.
“It’s another piece of technology in our toolbox that we’ll use to save lives,” says North Shore Rescue member Curtis Jones.
“This gives us the ability to literally fly out over a cliff, look down, review the footage, and say yeah there’s something down there.”
North Shore Rescue is operating under a standing exemption for drones less than 2 kilograms in weight that are operated in a remote area. There are strict rules about when, where and how it can be used.
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The hope is the drone won’t just find people – but also help keep searchers safe.
“Even if it helps us rule out terrain, that’s a success,” says Jones.
The new tool was paid for entirely by North Shore Rescue, which raised money today to support the Tim Jones Legacy Fund, which helps keep them operating.
Of their $500,000 annual budget, NSR must raise over 65 per cent each year to fund rescue operations, training and equipment.
WATCH: Nadia Stewart has more on Rescue Fest