Exercise Northumberland II - Success

In a follow up of the original Exercise Northumberland, TCSR organised and set up a follow up research exercise.  Exercise Northumberland II took place on Saturday 17th May.

This time, the focus was entirely on searching with drones. We set up a route to search to simulate the type of searching which is most likely to take place in the Initial Response phase of an incident and we also set up an area to search to simulate searching in later phases of an operation.

Joining us on the day, to perform these searches, were three pilots from Durham Constabulary, one from North Wales Police, a pilot and observer from Cockermouth MRT along with two pilots each from our two local teams, North of Tyne MRT and  Northumberland National Park MRT.

We have gathered lots of data for analysis and evaluation and will publish a full report once this is completed.  Our aim is to be able to give a measure of how well a route or area searched with a drone is likely to have been covered and what degree of confidence a search manager can have that a drone would have made a find if there was something there to find.

We are hugely indebted to all the pilots and observers who gave their time and expertise to support us and make a much valued contribution to this research.  Thank you one and all.

A special mention goes to those who travelled long distances to be with us and also to Northumberland National Park MRT who further supported this work by providing a team vehicle and driver to help transport pilots and kit on and off the hill.