The American Red Cross and Measure, a 32 Advisors consulting firm, released a 52-page study based on extensive field research and industry input highlighting the humanitarian, safety, and economic benefits of using drones to help first responders and improve disaster relief efforts.

“Drones provide significant benefits to first responders, enabling them to expedite disaster relief efforts,” says Measure President Justin P. Oberman. “We have a unique opportunity for companies and government to save lives and rebuild communities by using drone technology. Drones can be effective and efficient tools for humanitarian purposes; we need the right blueprint in place to help realize the potential of drones as a tool for good.”

The study provides policy recommendations to support disaster relief and emergency response efforts, case studies exploring the benefits of drones in emergency situations and deployment models including recommended platforms, payloads and software.

Partners on the study include IBM Smarter Cities, United Parcel Service, USAA, Boeing/Insitu and Lockheed Martin.

“Seeing firsthand the excitement from emergency responders about the potential use cases for UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] was wonderful, but seeing their concern about the issues standing in their way was eye opening,” says IBM Distinguished Engineer Perry Hartswick. “Beyond the logistical issues, making sure the information collected becomes actionable intelligence is critical to making a safer planet.”