On Jan. 27 at approximately 10:15 p.m., first responders from the North County Fire Authority and the Pacifica Police Department were on scene at 320 Esplanade Avenue for the rescue of a person who had apparently fallen off the cliff at that location. Rescue personnel on scene decided to have a helicopter from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) respond to conduct a long-line rescue of the subject.
In preparation for the helicopter’s arrival, rescue personnel lowered a medic to the beach. The medic worked to check the fallen subject’s status and prepare him for the long-line rescue.
When the helicopter arrived on scene, it illuminated the subject and medic with its spotlight. Shortly after the helicopter’s arrival, responders noticed a drone hovering near the scene. The drone moved around the area, often coming close to the area of the helicopter.
Once the helicopter crew found out there was a drone on scene, they had to suspend the rescue operation and gain altitude to avoid a collision. The helicopter crew communicated to the Pacifica Police Officers on scene that the drone’s operation could cause their helicopter to crash. Officers were able to locate the drone’s operator nearby. The operator, 55 year-old Pacifica resident Gerald Destremps, was subsequently arrested for 402(a) PC — impeding first responders at the scene of an emergency.
While the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or “drones” can be fun and offer great benefit, their operation must be done in a responsible manner. Drone operations have also affected first-responder operations in the past.
In July 2015, an unauthorized drone flight impeded firefighting efforts at the large fire near the Cindy Way ball fields in Sharp Park.
The increasing number of cases of unauthorized use of drones is a serious concern for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). An unmanned aircraft is an aircraft that must comply with safety requirements. The FAA has drafted regulations that apply to the operation of all aircraft, whether manned or unmanned, regardless of the altitude at which the aircraft is operating.
FAA regulations prohibit any person from operating an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.
