Partnership advances NUAIR’s services to New York State public safety organizations and compliments “NYFLY” initiative.

Posted On
January 28, 2020

Image
Nuair Droneresponders 1200x800

(SYRACUSE, NY) – Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research (NUAIR) has partnered with DroneResponders, the world’s fastest growing nonprofit program supporting the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – commonly referred to as “drones” – by public safety and emergency services professionals. NUAIR has helped over 25 state, county and local municipality emergency responders implement UAS programs, enhancing their operations and helping save lives. This new partnership will enhance UAS educational services and training programs for public safety organizations.

Public safety organizations are quickly realizing the life-saving potential of drones. Search and rescue, situational awareness/live streaming, and reconnaissance are the top three UAS missions ranked in order of importance according to public safety UAS professionals. The lack of educational activities, training, programs and awareness of useful drone technology are some of the key issues NUAIR and DroneResponders plan on addressing in their new partnership.

“NUAIR continues to enhance its services to New York State agencies, partnering with DroneResponders will help us within the public safety sector,” said Michael Hertzendorf, chief executive officer of NUAIR. “NUAIR’s technological expertise, flight experience and training, paired with DroneResponders’ network of public safety officials and their specific needs, will help accelerate the adoption of drone technology in emergency response organizations.”

“Our partnership with NUAIR will help accelerate the adoption of UAS by first responders across New York State and beyond to help save lives and property,” said Charles Werner, director of DroneResponders and retired fire chief from Charlottesville, VA. “Our DroneResponders Major Cities Working Group members will also be working closely with NUAIR to conduct research and testing on the use of public safety UAS in large urban and metropolitan areas.”

This new partnership compliments NUAIR’s “NYFLY” program – a New York UAS public-private partnership program being developed to spur the adoption of UAS into state and local government operations to help solve problems and increase effectiveness and efficiency of operations. The NYFLY program is open to all New York State agencies looking to enhance their operations including public safety, the energy sector (powerline, pipeline, windmill inspections), environmental conservation and more.

###

About NUAIR
NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research) is a New York based nonprofit organization that provides unsurpassed expertise in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations, aeronautical research, safety management and consulting services. Headquartered in Syracuse, NUAIR manages operations of the New York UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, NY, one of just seven FAA-designated UAS test sites in the United States, which is responsible to the FAA and NASA to conduct operations for UAS testing. NUAIR is responsible for the continued development and advancement of New York’s 50-mile UAS corridor between Syracuse and Rome, facilitating beyond visual line of sight testing, commercial operations, and the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace. Visit www.nuair.org to learn more.

About DroneResponders Public Safety Alliance
DroneResponders is the world’s fastest growing nonprofit program supporting public safety UAS. The DroneResponders mission is to facilitate preparedness, response and resilience using unmanned aircraft systems and related technologies operated by public safety, emergency management, and non-governmental volunteer organizations around the world. The DroneResponders Public Safety Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit operating program of AIRT, Inc. For more information on DroneResponders, visit: http://droneresponders.org.

Other
CEO News

Image
Rob Simpson 2026 Economic Champions
CEO News | 10/14/2026

Read Rob Simpson's 2026 Economic Champions Remarks

CenterState CEO President Rob M. Simpson delivered the following remarks at the 2026 Economic Champions Celebration.

Image
2026 Economic Champions Event
CEO News | 10/14/2026

CenterState CEO Celebrates More Than 300 Economic Champions

CenterState CEO’s annual Economic Champions Celebration recognized the collective contributions of 318 companies and organizations to the growth and vibrancy of the Central New York economy

Image
A9207348
CEO News | 10/07/2026

VIP Development Associates, Inc. Will Lead Planning for the Redevelopment of Long-Vacant Syracuse Property for State’s First ON-RAMP Center

VIP will oversee planning for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site, with the ON-RAMP training facility serving as an anchor tenant.

Image
CenterState Signal Graphic
CEO News | 09/30/2026

CenterState Signal: The Planning Trap

Understanding Central New York's current economic picture by analyzing national job data and local factors.

Image
DOL unemployment screen
CEO News | 09/30/2026

NYSDOL to Upgrade Unemployment System

An upcoming change to the New York State Department of Labor's (NYSDOL) Unemployment Insurance system. NYSDOL is retiring its 50-year-old unemployment processing system and replacing it with a modern platform that will include smartphone…

Image
cybersecurity stock inage
CEO News | 09/29/2026

Future-Proof Your Organization Against Cybersecurity  and AI Challenges

Hear real stories and solutions from industry experts on rapidly evolving cybersecurity threats, accelerating technology changes and the growing impact of artificial intelligence at the Future-Proof Your Business, Cybersecurity, Technology…

Image
Take the 2027 Ecnomic Forecast Survey
CEO News | 09/29/2026

Take the 2027 Economic Forecast Survey

Each year, CenterState CEO compiles its Economic Forecast for Central New York based on feedback and strategic insight collected from area business and community leaders. We want to hear your perspectives regarding the current year's…

Image
Constellation - Community Visionary Award Honoree
CEO News | 09/25/2026

Constellation to be Recognized with 2026 Community Visionary Award

CenterState CEO is proud to announce Constellation as the 2026 recipient of its Community Visionary Award.

Image
IIH 1 Year Celebration
CEO News | 09/17/2026

INSPYRE Innovation Hub’s First Year Fuels Growth, Connections and Entrepreneurial Success

In its first year, CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub has become a cornerstone of Central New York’s innovation ecosystem.