ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — On Sunday, Atlantic City First Responders responded to a distress call involving a man stranded on a wave runner in a marsh area behind Atlantic City High School. Despite utilizing location technology to determine the man’s general location, rescuers faced challenges due to the difficult terrain.
Assistance came from the Atlantic City Fire and Police Departments and the New Jersey State Police. Sergeant Chris Miller, a pilot with the City’s Office of Emergency Management, played a key role in the operation by deploying two drones to search for the individual.
One drone was launched from the ACPD Compound while the other took off from the high school parking lot. After several minutes, Miller spotted the stranded man approximately 1.4 miles from the back of the high school.
“He was really out there in the marsh,” Miller stated. “When I first observed him, he was just a speck on the screen. He clearly was in trouble.” Following this discovery, Miller contacted the New Jersey State Police, who dispatched a rescue vessel to reach the individual.
Atlantic City Fire Chief Scott Evans highlighted the effectiveness of the drones in emergency response, stating, “This was a perfect example of how drones enhance situational awareness, reduce response times, and contribute to saving lives.”
The use of drones by Atlantic City Public Safety began in 2018. The program has since expanded to include a dozen drones serving various public safety agencies, actively aiding in rescue missions and data collection efforts.
This incident underscores the growing role of technology in public safety operations, demonstrating quick action and collaboration between agencies.
Drones are becoming critical tools in emergency situations.