The Guilford County Department of Public Health, a division of the county’s Department of Health and Human Services, is set to receive a state-of-the-art drone thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. This drone, a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise with telescopic camera, extra battery packs, and advanced GIS software, will be used for specific purposes related to well and septic system inspections as well as locating abandoned wells.
The Guilford County Department of Public Health plans to use the drone technology to enhance team safety and operational efficiency by providing detailed scans of wells and septic systems from the air. This will reduce the need for labor-intensive ground searches that can put team members at risk. Members of the public health department will undergo training to ensure proper use of the drone and avoid accidents.
Drones have become increasingly popular for aerial inspections due to advancements in camera and imaging technology. The funding for the drone purchase and associated training comes from a federal grant of $50,000 received through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. This grant must be used for essential public health programs or purposes and cannot replace existing funding sources.
The Guilford County Department of Public Health plans to use the remainder of the grant to support various other programs and departmental training initiatives. Overall, the addition of the drone to their toolkit is expected to improve the efficiency and safety
