Virginia Department of Emergency Management Drone Documents
| Submitted | Feb. 1, 2013 |
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Communications
From: Drone Watch
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
1. any requests for proposals, proposals submitted by vendors, contracts, budgets or cost allocations for the purchase, research of and/or use of aerial drones, UAs, UAVs, and UASs (hereinafter “drones”);
2. any policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on institutional use of drones, including on the legal process required (such as a warrant or court order), if any, before operating a drone;
3. any departmental records concerning this institution's use of and/or research of drones now or plans to use drones in the future including:
a. the types of investigations or instances in which this department is using or plans to use drones, or how it plans to support, manage or oversee the usage of drones by another department or office;
b. policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on storage requirements or procedures for video or static images obtained through use of drones, including retention times;
c. the altitude at which drones can or do fly;
d. drones’ ability to carry weapons.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Beth Wellington
From: Spieldenner, Bob
Beth,
This is a reply to your FOIA request from Feb. 1 concerning any records on drones. I have attached two documents, which pertain to the subject.
We had a request from a local official to examine the feasibility of using drones to monitor radiation levels in the event of a release from one of nuclear power stations in Virginia. Our staff did an analysis, which is attached. As referenced in the attached scanned letter from Michael Cline, we are trying to plan a meeting with the concerned parties to discuss our findings.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Bob Spieldenner
Director of Public Affairs
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court
Richmond, VA 23236
804-897-6510
804-674-2400 (24/7)
Vaemergency.gov - ReadyVirginia.gov - ListoVirginia.gov
Facebook: Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Twitter: @VDEM
Flickr: Vaemergency
YouTube: Vaemergency
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
1. any requests for proposals, proposals submitted by vendors, contracts, budgets or cost allocations for the purchase, research of and/or use of aerial drones, UAs, UAVs, and UASs (hereinafter “drones”);
2. any policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on institutional use of drones, including on the legal process required (such as a warrant or court order), if any, before operating a drone;
3. any departmental records concerning this institution's use of and/or research of drones now or plans to use drones in the future including:
a. the types of investigations or instances in which this department is using or plans to use drones, or how it plans to support, manage or oversee the usage of drones by another department or office;
b. policies, guidelines, manuals and/or instructions on storage requirements or procedures for video or static images obtained through use of drones, including retention times;
c. the altitude at which drones can or do fly;
d. drones’ ability to carry weapons.
I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.
In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
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