GM1 UAS.OPEN.060(3) and GM1 UAS.SPEC.060(3)(e) Responsibilities of the Remote Pilot

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 16

EMERGENCY RESPONSE DEFINITION

The term ‘emergency response effort’ covers any activities by police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, Search and Rescue or other similar services where action is ongoing in order to preserve life, protect the public or respond to a crime in progress. This includes activities such as road traffic collisions, fires, flooding events, rescue operations and firearms incidents, although this list is not exhaustive.

‘Emergency response’ is an action taken in response to an unexpected and dangerous event in an attempt to mitigate its impact on people, property or the environment.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORT

When there is an emergency response effort taking place within the operational area of a UAS, the UAS operation must be safely and immediately discontinued unless it was explicitly authorised by the responsible emergency response services.

When an emergency response effort is taking place close to the operational area, a safe distance must be maintained between the UA and the emergency response site so that the UA does not interfere with, or endanger, the activities of the emergency response services. The UAS Operator should take particular care not to hinder any possible aerial support to the emergency services, and to protect the privacy rights of persons involved in the emergency event.