FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Emma Frazier
Public + Media Relations Manager
531-MCC-2726, office
402-380-4896, cell
efrazier@mccneb.edu
MCC offers drone training courses designed for emergency first responders
Over the past few weeks, more than 40 first responders in Metropolitan Community College’s four-county service area and beyond have learned how to integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), better known as drones, into their work. Members of area police, fire and sheriff’s departments took classes on the MCC Fort Omaha campus to learn the rules, regulations and skills to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in national airspace.
The FAA requires all UAS pilots to be certified to use drones, whether for commercial or personal use. Two-day courses taught by FAA-certified instructors will continue this fall at the MCC IT Express — Ashton location. The courses are designed to equip first responders with the training to use drones in accident investigations, search-and-rescue tasks and applications for a wide range of other emergency situations.
At the conclusion of course, participants will be prepared to take the FAA UAS 107 test to become a certified 107-compliant pilot.
“It’s a hands-on class with open flying time built in that helps first responders get comfortable using this innovative technology to aid them in the critical work they do for our communities,” said Todd Hansen, MCC associate vice president for Workforce Education.
Registration is open for courses that begin Oct. 16, Nov. 18 and Dec. 18. Past participants have included emergency responders from the following agencies:
- Blair Police Department
- Buffalo County Sheriff
- Dakota County Sheriff
- Douglas County Sheriff
- Fremont Fire Department
- Omaha Fire Department
- Omaha Police Department
- Polk County Sheriff
- Platte County Sheriff
- Washington County Sheriff
For more information about the training or to register, contact Stacia Payne at
slpayne1@mccneb.edu or 531-MCC-2522.
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About Metropolitan Community College
Metropolitan Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. Founded in 1974, MCC has the largest enrollment out of six community colleges in Nebraska and is the second largest postsecondary institution in the state. MCC serves more than 40,000 unique credit and noncredit students.