NFPA Considers Emergency Responder Robot Standards

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) Standards Council has received a New Project Initiation Request to develop an ASNI-accredited standard on the operational use and professional qualifications for operators of emergency responder robotics.

At present, there are no known standards that establish a operating protocol for the use of robots, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), by first responders or the professional qualifications demanded by robot operators in emergency services.

The organization is attempting to survey interest in the development of standards around emergency responder robotics by seeking public input.

The NFPA is asking individuals, companies, and organizations:

If the NFPA’s standards council approves the project initiation request, the organization’s technical committee will work to develop the project.

Public comment must be submitted to the NFPA by June 17, 2016.

For more information, visit the NFPA webpage.