Verizon Frontline, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has embarked upon a groundbreaking three-year project aimed at rapidly deploying unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to collect and distribute imagery of severe storm damage. This collaboration seeks to enhance NOAA’s ability to assess post-storm destruction and improve severe weather warnings.
The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team will provide the necessary UAS platform, sensors, and skilled personnel to swiftly respond to storm-damaged areas identified by NOAA. By leveraging Verizon’s robust network and rapid-mapping capabilities, this initiative aims to significantly improve the services delivered by NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) during times of disaster.
Traditionally, after a storm, NWS personnel conduct damage surveys and collect data to evaluate tornado behavior, assess impacts, and enhance future forecasting accuracy. However, gaining access to remote and hard-to-reach areas poses challenges. This is where UAS technology becomes invaluable, as it enables the efficient gathering of critical information.
Through this collaboration, NOAA and Verizon aim to provide high-resolution imagery to emergency management agencies and public safety organizations much faster than current methods allow. By utilizing Verizon’s advanced network and technological expertise, this partnership will revolutionize the delivery of crucial data for efficient storm damage assessment, aiding communities in mitigating the impact of severe storms.
Michael Adams, Associate Vice President for Federal Civilian Services at Verizon, expressed enthusiasm for this pioneering collaboration, stating, “This partnership will help pioneer new strategies aimed at gathering and disseminating crucial imagery, leveraging our collective expertise to enhance response efforts to severe storms and mitigate their impact on communities across the U.S.”
Verizon Frontline, developed over three decades in close collaboration with first responders, is designed to meet the unique needs of public safety officials and agencies. Through this CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement), NOAA continues its tradition of partnering with private sector companies to further their mission of understanding and predicting environmental changes.
As we navigate the challenges posed by climate, weather, and water, NOAA remains dedicated to managing and conserving America’s coastal and marine resources. Stay updated with the latest news and features from NOAA by visiting noaa.gov and joining us on social media.
Media contacts:
Eric Durie, [email protected], (516) 382-8219
Keli Pirtle, [email protected], (405) 203-4839
Verizon Frontline’s collaboration with NOAA to revolutionize storm damage assessment through the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is an innovative approach to improving post-storm evaluations and severe weather warnings. This three-year project aims to rapidly deploy UAS to collect and distribute high-resolution imagery of storm-damaged areas, providing crucial information to emergency management agencies and public safety organizations.
One advantage of this collaboration is the ability to access remote and hard-to-reach areas that are traditionally challenging for NWS personnel to assess after a storm. UAS technology allows for efficient gathering of critical information, enabling faster response and more accurate evaluations of tornado behavior and storm impacts. By providing real-time imagery, Verizon Frontline’s advanced network and rapid-mapping capabilities will significantly enhance the services delivered by NOAA’s National Weather Service during times of disaster.
The partnership between Verizon Frontline and NOAA also highlights the importance of leveraging private sector expertise in furthering the mission of understanding and predicting environmental changes. Through this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), NOAA continues its tradition of collaborating with private sector companies to enhance their capabilities in managing and conserving America’s coastal and marine resources.
Forecasting the future, this collaboration has the potential to revolutionize storm damage assessment and response efforts. The use of UAS technology can lead to more efficient and effective mitigation of the impact of severe storms on communities across the U.S.
However, there are also potential challenges and controversies associated with this initiative. Some concerns include privacy issues regarding the use of UAS for collecting imagery, as well as the potential for technical issues or limitations in the deployment and operation of unmanned aircraft systems. Ensuring the responsible and ethical use of this technology will be crucial in addressing these challenges.
To learn more about NOAA and stay updated with the latest news and features, you can visit their official website at noaa.gov. The site provides comprehensive information about managing and conserving America’s coastal and marine resources and offers valuable insights into the work being done by NOAA to understand and predict environmental changes.
For media inquiries related to Verizon Frontline and the collaboration with NOAA, you can contact Eric Durie at [email protected] or Keli Pirtle at [email protected]. These contacts can provide more specific information about the project and its progress.
In summary, the collaboration between Verizon Frontline and NOAA to utilize UAS technology for storm damage assessment is a groundbreaking initiative with the potential to significantly improve post-storm evaluations and severe weather warnings. While there may be challenges and controversies to address, the advantages of accessing critical information in remote areas and enhancing response efforts make this partnership an important step in revolutionizing storm damage assessment.