Effective Use Of Innovative Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) During Multi Agency Management Of A48 Nantycaws Closure

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have deployed their Welsh Government funded UAV to assist and support in monitoring the traffic in Carmarthen and the surrounding areas, during the multi-agency traffic management of the A48 Nantycaws closure in both directions. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The UAV, also known as a drone, was purchased thanks to a grant from the Welsh Government. This new technology provides live video footage for the incident commander, and a bird’s eye view of the situation and any emerging problems. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Group Manager of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Simon Jenkins said: ”The drone can provide an overhead view from up to 400ft above activity on the ground. This allows the commander and his team to plan ahead, put any necessary measures in place and respond dynamically by directing resources quickly.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Chief Inspector Peter Roderick of the Dyfed-Powys Police Specialist Operations Department said: “This innovative piece of equipment is proving extremely helpful to me as the overall commander, and all the partners that are part of this traffic management plan. Thanks to the close working relationship between all agencies in the Incident Command Room, this has given us access to this invaluable tool that acts as our ‘eye in the sky’. It helps us to be ahead of the game and enables a more efficient management and resolution of incidents. It will continue to play an integral part of this operation until the A48 Nantycaws Westbound re-opens, and I am grateful to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service for supporting us with this technology.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​