In an effort to capitalise on the potential of these unmanned aircraft to improve city security and emergency response, the Alcoy City Council is advancing the establishment of a dedicated Local Police unit in drones. In order to achieve this, the Security Department already has a functioning drone and a number of personnel are undergoing the necessary training.
In accordance with this plan, a municipal delegation comprising the Alcoy Local Police superintendent Carlos Martín, the councillor for Police, Emergencies, and Civil Protection Raül Llopis, the agent Pablo Aura, the Department of Emergencies and Civil Protection technician Quique Blanes, and the Department of Innovation representative Pedro J. Ramiro attended a conference yesterday in Benidorm that addressed the use of drones and artificial intelligence. The event showcased the possibilities of these technologies in urban settings by executing the first simultaneous flight of an air taxi and multiple unmanned aircraft in Europe. The purpose of the gathering was to network with other local governments and organisations that focus on creating cutting-edge drone solutions.
The significance of this endeavour to modernise municipal services was emphasised by Councillor Raül Llopis. “We are developing a cutting-edge city concept in which technology enhances emergency response and security. Another step in this regard is the establishment of this drone unit within the Local Police, which will enable us to respond to urgent circumstances more swiftly and efficiently,” he stated.
This project is being developed in collaboration with the University of Alicante, the Polytechnic University of Valencia, and the Department of Emergencies and Innovation. Alcoi is taking part in a comprehensive study on the use of unmanned aircraft to deliver emergency and hospital services in complicated orographic contexts, like the city and its hospital region, as part of this framework. This project aims to assess the operational feasibility of drones in emergency response and healthcare, with a seventy percent subsidy from the Valencian Agency for Innovation-IVACE+I.
The project’s goal is to assess the use of drones for remote patient communication in emergency scenarios, the location of missing persons, the immediate transfer of defibrillators in cases of cardiac arrest, and the delivery of medical equipment in remote places with limited access. Additionally, its use in search and rescue, natural environment surveillance, and forest fire control are taken into consideration in the sphere of civil protection.
Llopis has emphasised how this initiative can improve Alcoy’s emergency response and medical services. “We are confronted with a life-saving technical advancement. The ability to rely on drones to deliver medical supplies or help locate individuals in danger will greatly enhance emergency response. To ensure the highest level of rigour in the construction of this system, we also work with universities and other expert entities,” he said.
This project’s development is a component of the Alcoi Urban Sandbox, an innovation area where various drone and AI-based solutions will be evaluated. With a projected completion date of the second half of 2026, the project is presently at the draughting stage.
Author: Derek Appleton
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