Bill Overview
Title: First Responders Aerial Act of 2022
Description: This bill permits the operation of public actively tethered unmanned aircraft systems in an emergency response situation, including by a fire department, police department, search and rescue organization, and public safety organization.
Sponsors: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]
Target Audience
Population: People benefiting from enhanced emergency response
Estimated Size: 332000000
- The bill pertains to the operation of unmanned aircraft systems in emergency response situations.
- Directly impacted population includes first responders, such as fire department personnel, police officers, search and rescue teams, and other public safety personnel.
- These groups will utilize the unmanned aircraft systems during emergency responses to improve safety, efficiency, and effectiveness in their operations.
- Indirectly, the general public could be impacted as these technologies may enhance overall public safety during emergencies by providing better response capabilities.
Reasoning
- The primary target population includes first responders who will directly use the technology, therefore I included interviews with police officers, firefighters, and search & rescue personnel.
- The technology will be used to improve response times and safety measures, which can impact the wellbeing of both responders (due to reduced stress and danger in their roles) and the general public indirectly (by enhancing safety and emergency outcomes).
- While the majority of the US population could be impacted indirectly, the direct impact will be most pronounced among first responders, hence they have higher impact scores.
- Since the budget is significant but finite, it restricts widespread implementation initially, meaning the full benefits may scale over time as the technology becomes more ubiquitous in emergency response scenarios.
- I included a small number of individuals not directly impacted to show the range of experiences within the general public.
Simulated Interviews
Fire Department Chief (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've witnessed firsthand how drones can provide critical eye-in-the-sky perspectives during wildfires.
- This policy could drastically improve our response times and safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Police officer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The use of aerial drones during searches could save countless lives.
- My job would be safer and more effective with this tech.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Search and Rescue Team Leader (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Weather conditions often impede our operations; drones could be game changers.
- The policy aligns well with disaster preparedness goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Emergency Medical Technician (Houston, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Drones could provide real-time views during complex emergencies, improving outcomes.
- I'm excited to see tech improving our field effectiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Police Department Drone Operator (Denver, CO)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Drone use has proved invaluable in surveillance and crisis management.
- Policy allows us to expand capabilities into real-time emergency response.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Civilian Safety Advocate (New York, NY)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm curious but cautious about tech like this in community safety settings.
- Proper oversight will determine the real value of this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Recent College Graduate in Public Policy (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Drones in emergencies is an innovative idea, but implementation is key.
- Effective use depends on training and resources allocation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Public Safety Advisory Board Member (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Endorsing a technology-driven approach to safety can foster innovative solutions.
- Concerned about privacy implications but hopeful about safety improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Tech Industry Professional (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Aerial technology's impact on safety is immense; excited by the potential of this policy.
- Implementation costs seem high but benefits could far exceed them long-term.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Healthcare Worker - Disaster Response Unit (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Aerial views can potentially streamline the allocation of medical resources in crises.
- Focusing on cross-agency collaboration will optimize use of the tech.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $48000000 (Low: $38000000, High: $58000000)
Year 3: $47000000 (Low: $37000000, High: $57000000)
Year 5: $45000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $55000000)
Year 10: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 100: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Key Considerations
- Operational training for first responders is critical for effective use.
- Regulatory frameworks must support legal aerial operations.
- Coordination between technology developers and emergency services is essential.