Hernando drone team makes rescues, assesses hurricane damage in DeSoto County

FL-UAS 4 a joint drone team composed of personnel from the Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services (HCFES) and the Hernando Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) helped authorities in DeSoto County search for victims, assess road, bridge and flooding damage and create disaster area maps in the days following Hurricane Ian. Known as FL-UAS 4, the deployment was the joint regional drone team’s first assignment since it was established and recognized by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) in May.

During its six-day deployment the team worked throughout DeSoto County to provide aerial views of flooding after the storm surge raised the Peace River and other Charlotte Harbor tributaries making ground access impossible for disaster response vehicles from DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), DeSoto County Fire Rescue (DCFR), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Florida Department…