OCEAN CITY, Md. - The Town of Ocean City will soon have an extra pair of eyes in the sky to help keep those big crowds safe during the summer. The town plans to start using drones for public safety efforts and other uses.
The aircraft will be used by departments like emergency services, fire, and police.
Town officials said the uses for drones are endless. For example, they can be used during search-and-rescue missions, during big public events, or to survey beach erosion after a big storm.
The town bought three drones with funding from Homeland Security.
The devices are able to shoot video, take pictures, and perform thermal imaging.
Ocean City Emergency Services Director Joseph Theobald said the town received a certificate of authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly drones in town.
OC Emergency Services has also been working with other federal partners on a plan that outlines policies and procedures for the use of drones.
"We're not here big brother watching. We have specific uses for them. We want to be able to use them for an incident that takes place where the public is at harm," said Emergency Services Director Joseph Theobald.
Theobald said the next step is to get town employees trained to use the drones. His hope is to start utilizing the aircraft by this summer.
