The Fairfax County Unmanned Aircraft Systems program will provide an enhanced level of operational capability, safety and situational awareness for first responders, other approved participating agencies, and decision-makers with high quality imagery, data, and customized geospatial solutions using unmanned aircraft while continuing to maintain the public trust.

Fairfax County is developing a comprehensive Public Safety Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program and would like to hear from residents on what they think. We are hosting six public information meetings located throughout Fairfax County.

The draft program is designed to support a variety of government mission types, including:

Search and rescue

Flooding assessments

Pre- and post-disaster damage assessments

Crash reconstruction

Fire incident/scene management and investigations

Hazardous materials responses

Wildlife estimation

The draft UAS program would not be used:

To conduct random surveillance activities

To target a person based solely on individual characteristics, such as, but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion or disability

To harass, intimidate or discriminate against any individual or group

To conduct personal business or any other unauthorized use

Each public information meeting will include a static display of unmanned aircraft followed by a presentation outlining the program. After the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions from representatives of the Office of Emergency Management, County Attorney’s Office, Police and Fire and Rescue Department. The formal presentation will begin at 7 p.m.

To find out more about the UAS program, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/uas. The draft public safety UAS program manual is located there along with a link to the email account.

Please send your feedback or questions to uas@fairfaxcounty.gov or through the link located on the UAS webpage. Written comments on the draft program must be received by the close of business Feb. 8, 2019 to be included in the official public record.

• Jan. 14, 2019 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.), Mason District Governmental Center (Community Room), 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003

• Jan. 16, 2019 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.), South County Governmental Center (Room 221C), 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309

• Jan. 23, 2019 (6:30 P.M. – 8:30 p.m.), McLean District Governmental Center, 1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101

• Jan. 24, 2019 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.), Sully District Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly, VA 20151

• Jan. 28, 2019 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.), Reston Community Center – Hunter Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191

• Jan. 30, 2019 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.), Braddock Hall – Kings Park Library, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015