Drones could help New York, New Jersey manage storms, Schumer says
NEW YORK (AP) — The use of drones by New York and New Jersey authorities could be a useful tool in dealing with future storms and other emergencies.
That’s the view of Sen. Charles Schumer of New York. Schumer said Monday that the unmanned aircraft can help officials quickly assess damage in hard-to-reach areas and create 3D images to aid in the rebuilding process.
The Democrat is calling on the Federal Aviation Administration to speed up the approval of the drones. Schumer says the approval process can take several months but should be done in a matter of days.
“Right now, we are adding insult to injury with how long it takes to get approvals,” Schumer said. “The quicker they can be approved to fly in these dire circumstances, the better.”
Schumer said drones have been used in other parts of the country to respond to hurricanes, floods and other emergencies.