Dates and Location Announced for 2024 Florida Public Safety Drone Operations Conference (FLOCON)
The DRONERESPONDERS Florida Public Safety Coordination Group (FLOGRU) announced today that the 2024 Florida Public Safety Drone Operations Conference (FLOCON) will likely be held from February 20-22, 2024, in Auburndale, FL. FLOCON will unite first responders from across Florida and other regions who’re using small, uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) for a wide selection of life and safety missions.
FLOCON 2024 will construct off the inaugural event held in March 2023 by offering additional classroom education combined with targeted clinics on the tactical use of sUAS for real-world law enforcement, fire rescue, and disaster response missions. Live demonstrations of products and equipment for the ecosystem surrounding public safety drone operations can even be featured.
“What makes FLOCON unique in comparison with other public safety UAS training events is that it’s entirely produced by first responders for first responders,” says Christopher Todd, Executive Director of AIRT – the official home of the DRONERESPONDERS program. “FLOCON participants will learn in a protected and productive environment enabling them to turn into more adept at operating drones to assist save lives and protect property.”
SunTrax, a large-scale modern facility developed by Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise and dedicated to the research, development, and testing of emerging transportation technologies in protected and controlled environments, will again serve because the official host venue for FLOCON.
“SunTrax is a world-class facility that gives a great venue for our goal of safely and effectively training first responders and emergency services professionals in using drones in compliance with Florida law,” said Sgt. Robert Dooley, UAV Program Coordinator for the Florida Highway Patrol and leadership team member for the DRONERESPONDERS Florida Public Safety Coordination Group (FLOGRU). “FLOCON 2024 will feature a sturdy program offering classroom-style education combined with outdoor flight clinics to offer comprehensive training for attendees.”
FLOCON has already helped train over 200 public safety agency members on tips on how to operate drones for incident and disaster response. Organizers say FLOCON 2024 will increase capability to accommodate additional attendees.
“SunTrax is happy to return this 12 months because the official host venue for FLOCON 2024,” said Pamela Foster, SunTrax Strategic Development Manager for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise.
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