City of Long Beach applies for grant for drone for search and rescue

The City of Long Beach is looking to enhance its search and rescue operations with the help of unmanned aircraft systems.

More than a month ago, Long Beach residents reached out to Ward 6 Alderman Pete McGoey of Long Beach about a thermal drone for search rescue purposes.

The Skydio drone will be able to search 30 to 60 acres of land in 20 minutes, breach buildings to locate people barricaded or trapped in buildings, detect fires, and more.

With Picayune already adopting the use of drones in their safety protocols, the City of Long Beach is looking to follow suit. McGoey said, “Obviously we both know that hurricane season is upon us. Unfortunately, as I stated in the meeting last night, it’s not a matter of if, but it’s a matter of when we’re going to have to go through some type of recovery mode, and it would be nice to have that one.”

The Skydio drone costs $15,000 and the City of Long Beach is looking to have it in the next 60 to 90 days if accepted for the grant.