NCPA Unmanned Emergency Services - Department 50, Tioga County PA

12/11/2025

11/20/2025

We’ve been a bit quiet lately, but rest assured, we’re still here and we’re still supporting operations in North Central PA… we don’t post about every incident we have for various reasons.

Early this week we assisted police with overhead thermal and standard imagery in support of one of their investigations. Perfect use of our services and great outside the box thinking by the police.

“new options”

11/17/2025

🚨 Cold Water Safety Reminder from Drone 50 🚨

Pennsylvania’s Mandatory Cold-Weather Life Jacket Rule will go into effect on November 1st.
That means once that date hits, everyone on a water vessel — boats, kayaks, canoes, you name it — must wear a life jacket during the cold-weather months.

Cold water hits like a hammer. It steals your breath, your strength, and your ability to think clearly in seconds.
A life jacket buys you those precious moments that make the difference between a close call and a tragedy.

Please… suit up, stay smart, and stay alive.
From all of us at NCPA Unmanned Emergency Services / Drone 50, we want you and your loved ones to enjoy the outdoors safely this season.

Be prepared. Be responsible. Wear a life jacket.
It could save your life — and we’d much rather meet you on the trails than during a rescue.

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07/25/2025

When disaster strikes or someone goes missing, every second counts. That’s where we come in.
Drone 50 — officially known as NCPA Unmanned Emergency Services — is Pennsylvania’s first stand-alone unmanned emergency services department. We respond to calls just like any fire or EMS agency — through your county’s 911 center — bringing a high-tech edge to search and rescue, fire support, disaster response, and more.

We are boots on the ground and birds in the sky — with a mix of FAA-certified drone pilots, rescue technicians, combat veterans, and public safety professionals who provide vital aerial and underwater imagery, intelligence, and logistics during high-stakes emergencies.

🚁 What We Do:
✅ Search & Rescue (land, air, water)
✅ Wildland & Structural Fire Overwatch
✅ Disaster & Storm Damage Assessment
✅ Law Enforcement Support
✅ High-Angle & K9-Assisted Missions
✅ Live Video Recon for Command Staff
✅ Underwater Sonar Mapping & Drone Operations
✅ Public Safety Event Support

From flying through hurricane debris to locating lost persons with thermal imaging — our team is ready when the call comes in. Recently, we logged 35+ flight hours and processed over 8,000 images to assist in storm recovery after Tropical Storm Debbie.

🔍 We’re Growing – and We’re Recruiting.
Drone 50 is actively seeking dedicated, skilled, and driven individuals who are ready to meet our high standards in public safety.
Whether you're a drone operator, rescue technician, veteran, firefighter, or simply someone with the heart and discipline to serve — we want to hear from you.

You’ll train alongside some of the best, operate cutting-edge tech, and make a real difference across our region.

💥 This isn’t a hobby. This is a mission.
💡 Our SOPs mirror aviation-grade safety protocols. Our gear is advanced. Our expectations are high.
We’re not just helping the community — we’re shaping the future of emergency response in rural Pennsylvania.

🛰️ Learn more, donate, or join us at www.drone-50.com

📧 Questions or ready to apply? Reach out now!

07/12/2025

Unfortunately, The firehouse pizza truck fundraiser scheduled for July 14-19 is cancelled.

05/22/2025

We had the opportunity to present at Cowanesque Valley High School this morning. We met with about 25 students and discussed drone technology and capabilities, underwater response tools, and lastly Kara and Yukon demonstrated how a canine team and a keen nose can fill some of the gaps that our technology isn’t capable of.

Yukon and Kara worked about a 1/2 acre area to locate a single spent shotgun shell.

After some diligent working, Yukon found the item and gave Kara the signal, indicating it was there.

“new options”

04/04/2025

Excellent article! Perfect example of canine use for these scenarios.

03/30/2025

Public Safety Message:

As the temperatures rise and more people take to our lakes and rivers for recreation, Drone 50 would like to remind everyone of a small detail that can make a life-saving difference in an emergency: the color of your clothing.

In aquatic rescue scenarios, visibility is critical. When someone goes missing on the water, aerial and underwater drones are often deployed to assist search and rescue teams. One of the most significant factors affecting how quickly a person can be located is what they’re wearing.

Certain colors—like blue, gray, black, or dark green—can blend into the water, making detection extremely difficult from above. In contrast, bright, high-visibility colors such as neon orange, yellow, pink, and lime green stand out dramatically against natural water backgrounds, especially when viewed from the air.

To improve your chances of being seen quickly in the event of an emergency:

Choose brightly colored or reflective swimwear, life jackets, and gear.

Avoid dark or water-toned clothing when engaging in water activities.

When possible, wear contrasting or patterned colors that break up your outline.

Whether you're swimming, boating, paddleboarding, or fishing, your clothing could make all the difference in a time-critical situation. Visibility saves lives—and it starts with what you put on before stepping into the water.

Stay safe, be seen, and enjoy the season responsibly.

—Drone 50– Eyes in the Sky, Committed to Public Safety

03/28/2025

We are excited to announce that we have added a canine element to our department. Last month we accepted two new members on the team; K9 Yukon and his handler. Yukon is certified with the International Police Work Dog Association for article search work. Historically, 1/3 of our calls have been law enforcement related. We have been requested for article/evidence searches in the past, something the drone cannot do, so we knew it was a good addition to the team.

Additionally Yukon’s handler has a background in law enforcement, they have their AKC canine good citizen certificate and are working on some extra supplemental certifications.

Please join us in welcoming them to the team.

“new options”

03/25/2025

We were dispatched this evening to a local wildfire. We were immediately able to get into the air once on scene and assess fire lines and hotspots using our thermal imaging technology.

Big shout out to all the local crews who were out there tonight as well as the other areas crews who were attending a handful of other fires across the counties.