COLLARIS - Report: Overview of current SotA practices of training: assessment and recommendations

This initial report recognises and addresses an expanding need for collaborative and cooperative training for the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) among European first response and civil protection stakeholders. It also recognises a growing need to strengthen training organisations to cater for collaboration and cooperation within and across different domains of civil protection in the EU in order to ensure the safe and effective use of UAS operations and to enhance social acceptance of state-based authorities’ use of these technologies.

A survey questionnaire developed by the COLLARIS consortium and distributed by MSB in Sweden and to a number of European stakeholders yielded a low response rate that limits the scope of conclusive claims that can be drawn from the gathered data. The survey did however provide some basic findings that can help to build better understanding for the current status of UAS training in and across these countries. By employing the case of the Swedish police and their use of UAS as outlined in a recently published book chapter on the technology and capacity of drones and UAS in Sweden, the report provides a solid case of a first response authority that has advanced the employment and safe use of UAS in their everyday work as “blue light” authorities but more importantly, as a state-approved flight operational organisation who conducts training within and beyond their own organisation.

Other examples of training provided by consortium members and European experts (participating in the UCPM exchange of experts’ program in Valabre) included here help build a broader picture of the current status of UAS training across the EU.

These training focused results from the COLLARIS developed survey that are presented here in this report, as well as the training examples provided from Sweden and those shared from other consortium partners, will provide a foundational platform from which this knowledge building and collective learning process can progress.

Although definitive answers are not offered here, the survey results do open up room for discussions and call for more advanced evaluations in upcoming project activities. More specifically, they can also be a basis for more in-depth discussion to encourage greater evaluation of training needs and training materials.