Councillors back call for 'blue light' designation for Cork search and recovery unit

Cork city councillors have approved a motion seeking to support Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery (CCMPSAR) being registered as a ‘blue light organisation’ in order to get around new drone restrictions.

A blue light organisation refers to services such as An Garda Síochána, ambulance, fire, and rescue services, that are authorised to use flashing blue lights and sirens during emergency situations.

Labour’s Peter Horgan proposed at the most recent meeting of Cork City Council that the authority seek approval from all relevant national authorities and Government departments to designate CCMPSAR as a blue light organisation “without delay, so that they are exempt from any airspace restrictions currently now and in the future imposed on drone operations and surveillance in Cork city”.

Temporary drone measures

It comes as the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) recently implemented new temporary measures significantly limiting drone pilots from flying over large parts of the city without providing two days’ notice.

This was to facilitate a pilot drone delivery programme by private operators Manna.

A public consultation is currently under way as the IAA aims to make these temporary measures permanent from May, with more than 200 submissions having already been received.

Chris O’Donovan, CCMPSAR search co-ordinator, told The Echo that they have come to an arrangement with the relevant authorities in terms of drone usage, but that they have to take extra steps now.

“If we want to use a drone for training purposes we have to fill in a form two days in advance, in an emergency we have a number we can ring and they should allow us to fly. Before, when the phone rang we could fly right away.”

People more important than coffee

He said that they learned of the new restrictions through a post on social media that was sent to him.

“We couldn’t believe it that nobody could fly so that a company delivering food and coffees could have access to the skies — people are more important than coffee,” said Mr O’Donovan

“If we were designated a blue light organisation, it would help us in many ways. Our response times for incidents on the river would get faster, we’d be a better help to the fire service and gardaí. We have all the policies and procedures to get us to that place.

“Unfortunately, when are services are required, you can save a life if you get there quick enough. We’re hoping to help as many people as possible, so a blue light designation would be a huge step in the right direction for us.”