Clackamas Fire District Aviation & Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Clackamas Fire District operates a professional Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program and aviation services to enhance public safety and emergency response capabilities. Our aviation assets support firefighting, rescue operations, and community protection while strictly prioritizing safety, privacy, and transparency.
We operate in full compliance with:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, including Part 107 and Public Aircraft Operations
- Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS 837.300–837.399)
- Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) registration and reporting requirements
- Clackamas Fire District UAS Policy / Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Note: Portions of our equipment and program capabilities have been acquired through funding support from Homeland Security Grants and Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) Grants.
Table of Contents
What is a UAS?
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, are remotely piloted aircraft weighing between 0.55 and 55 pounds. They provide elevated situational awareness and real-time data collection without risking personnel in hazardous environments.
Pilot Qualifications & Safety Standards
All Clackamas Fire District UAS pilots hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and complete department-specific training. Training and proficiency standards include:
- NFPA 2400 standards for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems used for Public Safety
- NIST and ASTM testing protocols
- Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) and Operational Risk Management (ORM)
Authorized Missions & Uses
As required by ORS 837.362, Clackamas Fire District utilizes UAS technology strictly for legitimate public safety missions, including:
- Structure and wildland fire operations (elevated situational awareness, hotspot detection, aerial mapping)
- Fire origin and cause investigations
- Search and rescue operations and water rescue support
- Hazardous materials incident assessment
- Natural disaster damage assessment
- Pre-incident planning and building inspections
- Training exercises (fire, EMS, technical rescue, wildland)
- Intergovernmental mutual aid support for partner agencies
Prohibited Uses & Civil Liberties Protections
To protect public privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties, Clackamas Fire District explicitly prohibits the following:
- Conducting random or mass surveillance
- Targeting individuals based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or protected class
- Weaponizing any UAS
- Utilizing facial recognition technology
- Conducting personal or non-official business
- Intentionally recording areas where an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy (absent a warrant or exigent emergency circumstances)
Contract Helicopter Services
[Placeholder: Insert specific copy regarding contract helicopter assets, primary air support missions, wildland suppression capabilities, and operational partner information.]
UAS Fleet Information
Per ORS 837.362, Clackamas Fire District currently operates [Insert Number] small unmanned aircraft systems. All aircraft are registered with the FAA and ODAV and are maintained according to strict manufacturer and FAA guidelines.
- Fleet Models: [Insert Models, e.g., DJI Mavic Series, Autel Evo Series]
- Capabilities: Thermal imaging, aerial mapping sensors, situational streaming
Data Policies, Storage & Retention (ORS 837.362)
Clackamas Fire District maintains strict controls governing the collection, use, access, sharing, and retention of all data (including video and audio recordings) obtained through UAS operations:
- Data Retention Schedule: Data is retained for [Insert Specific Retention Period, e.g., 30 days unless required for investigation/litigation] per public records retention laws.
- Storage & Security: Data is stored on secure, access-controlled local servers/cloud storage meeting federal/state compliance standards.
- Third-Party Storage: Third-party storage provider specifications guarantee strict security, handling, and restricted access protocols.
- Intergovernmental Data Sharing: Data is shared with partner agencies strictly under formal intergovernmental agreements or official public safety requests.
- Public Records Exemption (ORS 192.345): Public disclosure of certain UAS operational data and records is governed by Oregon Public Records Law. You may review [ORS 192.345 Text / Link] for conditionally exempt record descriptions.
[Placeholder: Insert LINK:]
Annual Usage Summary
In accordance with ORS 837.360 and ORS 837.362, Clackamas Fire District submits annual usage reports to the Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV).
- [2025/2026] Deployments: [Insert Number] total missions flown [Link: View ODAV Annual Report Summary]
Public Records & Contact Information
Public Records Requests: To request UAS-related records or footage, please visit our Public Records Request Page.
Questions or Feedback: For questions regarding our Aviation & UAS program, please contact:
- UAS Program Manager: [Insert Name / Title]
- Email: [Insert Email Address]
- Phone: [Insert Phone Number]