Chesapeake, Va.-based DroneUp, a community for professional and hobbyist drone pilots, has appointed veteran firefighter Charles L. Werner its chief of public safety.
In this position, Werner is responsible for ensuring unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) public safety is upheld in DroneUp initiatives, including pilot training and certifications, strategic partnerships, and best practices.
A certified Part 107 remote pilot in charge, Werner previously served 37 years in the Charlottesville, Va., Fire Department, where he was fire chief from 2005-2015. After retiring from the department, he was appointed senior advisor and deputy state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. In this capacity, he has advised on rail responder applications, UAS, FirstNet, NG911, situational awareness, GIS and interoperability, says DroneUp.
“Charles is a visionary leader in advancing public safety issues before federal, state and
local decision-makers at a time when there has been escalating interest and significant rule changes in UAS operations,” states Tom Walker, founder and CEO of DroneUp. “He has been a firm believer in DroneUp’s dedication to advancing UAS pilot training and certifications. He will bring invaluable insight into strategies and best practices as DroneUp moves forward.”
