NYC flies horde of drones in largest-ever coastal storm drill to prepare for next Superstorm Sandy

A horde of drones swirled off Staten Island to assist would-be water-rescuers Tuesday as part of the largest-ever coastal storm drill — in preparation for the next potential Superstorm Sandy.The city’s Drone Task Force used groundbreaking technology to carry out a mock extensive search-and-rescue mission through the condemned Seaview Children’s Hospital, which was pummeled by the historic and destructive hurricane in 2012.The massive exercise marked the first time the FDNY, NYPD and city Department of Emergency Management worked together to use their individual Unmanned Aerial Systems technology for an emergency-operation exercise.“From this exercise, we’re hoping to come out with policies and procedures to better operate at a real-life event like this,” task-force exercise coordinator Jose Rolon said.The simulation occurred after six months of intensive planning — and coincidentally followed the deadly devastation that Hurricane Helene laid bare in the southeast this past weekend.

Drones will be used as the “eyes” of rescuers before they enter what can be a dangerous situation, authorities said.For example, drones can detect a collapsed floor before first responders enter a damaged building.The real-time information collection can expedite life-saving measures and ensure that resources are being funneled where they are needed the most, officials said.“We’re testing the connectivity and their tactical equipment so … the drones [are] flying indoors, dropping emergency flotation devices for someone in distress,” Rolon said.“We want to do it all at the same time and make sure that we could all put in the unity and effort and make sure we’re all working together.” For Tuesday’s drill, the first task was flying the drones through the hospital to find victims.”The NYCEM, NYPD and FDNY set up individual command sites out of the trunk of their cars, which were equipped with several computer screens displaying HD-quality video of the d...