HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR100317KFDremindspublicaboutdronefreezonesduringemergencyoperations
C O U NT Y O F KAU A‘I
BERNARD P. CARVALHO JR.
Mayor
WALLACE G. REZENTES JR.
Managing Director
KAUA‘I FIRE DEPARTMENT
News Release
For Immediate Release: October 3, 2017
ROBERT WESTERMAN, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
KFD reminds public about drone-free zones during emergency operations
LĪHU‘E – Kaua‘i Fire Department officials are reminding the public to follow flight safety
rules for unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones, during emergency response
operations.
“During recent brush fires and air rescues, there have been several drone sightings that
came relatively close to our Air 1 helicopter,” stated Fire Chief Robert Westerman. “I’d like to
remind everyone that flying drones near any fire operation is not only against federal
regulations, it is very dangerous for the helicopter and personnel on board.”
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it is illegal to fly an unmanned
aircraft system in or around a wildfire firefighting operation, and unauthorized drone operators
are subject to significant fines if they interfere with emergency response operations.
If you see anyone in the act of operating a drone near an emergency operation, please
call Kaua‘i Police immediately at 241-1711.
To report a non-emergency concern or for more information about the regulations for
unmanned aircraft systems, call Hawai‘i’s Flight Standards District Office at (808) 837-8300 or
visit www.faa.gov/uas.
###