U of A Expert Trains Public Safety Officials on Drone Technology

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During the demonstration, a drone was used to inspect fire damage in a structure.

As drones become an integral part of law enforcement and security, a University of Arkansas expert is helping train first-responders.

Richard Ham, associate director of the Master of Science in Operations Management and Engineering Management programs, was a featured speaker at the InfraGard conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, in March.

Ham's presentation covered compliance requirements, threat and vulnerability assessments, counter-drone technology and use of a new risk assessment tool developed by Ham to evaluate and mitigate risk to unmanned aircraft systems.

"The use of unmanned aerial systems for first responders has become a basic skill requirement," Ham said. "The University of Arkansas has developed a widely recognized multidisciplinary effort of subject matter experts that is recognized as cutting edge. This was one of many public service efforts to share our expertise in the discipline."

The Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration sponsored the event. Attendees were from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Coast Guard, local law enforcement and industry partners. 

A demonstration of capability as well as best practices for platform and sensor purchase was provided in order to guide public safety agencies in purchasing decisions.

Ham teaches OMGT 5903 Unmanned Aircraft Systems as part of the homeland security focus in Operations Management.