Donation allows Jasper County EMA to purchase drone

The Jasper County Emergency Management Agency recently accepted a small grant from the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool.

The $1,000 grant is part of ICAP’s special initiative in celebration of the organization’s 30th anniversary. The funds from this grant were used to support the purchase of a DJI Phantom 4 drone, which will be used to assist with missions related to public and individual safety throughout Jasper County.

With the recent changes in drone technology and successful deployment of drones in other counties in Iowa, the Jasper County EMA staff felt that a drone would provide a tool that would enhance the capabilities of public safety agencies within the county. The drone is capable of sending images and location information to the operators.

The plan is also to use the drone to assist with public safety and life safety missions in which the EMA Office may be called to assist.

The Jasper County EMA is the managerial agency charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. The agency’s primary purpose is to coordinate the response to a disaster that has occurred in Jasper County and work to mitigate the potential for disasters in the future.

ICAP was formed in 1986 as a group self-insurance program for Iowa public entities. The member owned pool provides property and casualty coverage, risk-sharing facilities and risk-management services to its members. The pool is acclaimed for its stable rates, superior coverages and class of service.