The Government has launched a centralised platform to help State agencies store, access and share processed drone imagery, building on lessons from the response to Hurricane Melissa.
The GOJ Drone Image Server was developed by the National Spatial Data Management Branch (NSDMB) in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development. It was unveiled recently at the Spatial ArcGIS User Conference at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston.
NSDMB Principal Director Alicia Edwards said the platform will give government entities a shared resource for viewing, downloading and managing imagery for disaster response and everyday operations.
She explained that the need for a permanent repository became clear after Hurricane Melissa, when government and private drone operators volunteered to capture images of some of the island’s hardest-hit areas.
The branch worked with WeRobotics and Jamaica Flying Labs, mobilised through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, to establish a framework supporting those efforts.
An international network of processors helped prepare the imagery for agencies coordinating relief and reaching affected communities.
However, the experience highlighted the importance of keeping the images available after the immediate emergency had passed. Discussions with government entities also revealed difficulties storing and managing large volumes of imagery on their existing systems.
Edwards said the new cloud-based platform will address those challenges while allowing agencies to incorporate drone imagery into their routine work.
“Since we have the Infrastructure Unit at the Branch and we also have the expertise, we set up that portal that facilitates not only the sharing and collaborating but also the storing of the imagery to allow entities within the GOJ to manage and use the imagery that they’ve collected,” she said.
The server is available to government entities seeking imagery and those with processed images to contribute.
Access will be governed by established protocols, with information vetted before it is shared through the system.
Advertise with McKoy’s News!
🚀 Boost Your Business with McKoy’s News! 🚀
Let us help you grow your brand with our comprehensive advertising solutions:
Create Your Own Business Page:
Showcase your business with a personalized page on McKoy’s News. Highlight your products or services with multiple photos, contact information, and detailed descriptions.
Engaging Banner Ads:
Capture attention with visually stunning banner ads that promote your brand across our website, reaching a large audience with every click.
Dynamic Video Ads:
Tell your story with impactful video advertisements, designed to engage viewers and drive traffic to your business.
Feature Articles:
Gain credibility and visibility with feature articles on McKoy’s News. Share your success stories, latest offerings, and expert insights with our readers.
Ready to Elevate Your Business?
Contact us today and let McKoy’s News be your partner in success.
Follow us on social media
Related posts:
Reggae Icon and Film Star Jimmy Cliff Dead at 81
Dorothy Pine McLarty, First Woman to Chair Jamaica’s Electoral Commission, Dies
Miss Universe Organization Covers All Medical Costs After Gabrielle Henry Accident
Shantel Powell Named 2025 LASCO/JCF Police of the Year
Beyoncé Declared a Billionaire by Forbes
Three Shot Dead as Police Conduct Intelligence-Led Operation in Manchester