While public safety aviation has embraced industry practices to mitigate risks, the possibility of an incident/accident still exists. The first few minutes after an emergency are critical and failure to act quickly with a managed response can have long-term consequences. This issue provides an in-depth look into aviation emergency response plans (ERP), from concept to creation to practice via tabletop drills. And we profile agencies who have firsthand experience implementing their plans and their lessons learned.
>>  Bonus circulation: AUVSI's XPONENTIAL 2021, Atlanta, GA  

By any name (Big Easy, Crescent City, NOLA), New Orleans is a unique American city. And as such, an ideal location for APSCON 2021 and our unique blend of training and networking. As a result of the pandemic-related cancellation of last year’s event, Nawlins also now has the unique distinction of being the site of our 50th annual conference & exposition, marking their 3rd time hosting our premier event. With the recent installation of $12.6 million in digital signage and the completion of the $14 million Transportation Center and the $65 million transformation of Convention Center Boulevard to a tree-lined pedestrian park featuring outdoor event spaces, water features, green walls, communal gathering places and public art, the 5-year, $557 million capital improvement plan for the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is well underway. And more is scheduled to be completed before we arrive. Join us in the birthplace of jazz to see what’s new, experience a little lagniappe, and celebrate our golden anniversary of providing the best training and networking opportunities available to public safety aviation.
>> Bonus - Host an event for all members during the conference and receive a free 1/4-page ad featuring your company’s event.
>> Bonus circulation: APSCON 2021, New Orleans, LA  

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) guides all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to work together to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from incidents. NIMS provides stakeholders across the whole community with the shared vocabulary, systems and processes to successfully deliver the capabilities described in the National Preparedness System. Local, state, territorial, and tribal nation jurisdictions are required to adopt NIMS in order to receive federal Preparedness grants. This issue looks at the role public safety aircraft, manned and unmanned, and aircrews play in NIMS.
>> Bonus circulation: APSCON 2021, New Orleans, LA 

Like many of the tools used by modern day law enforcement, airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) has a military nexus. Adapted for use by public safety, it can provide vital information on criminal activity as well as help monitor the environment and aid in the response to natural and manmade disasters. Whether targeted or wide area surveillance, the ability to collect, analyze and disseminate information is critical to keeping our communities safe. This issue looks at how public safety is adapting this technology for domestic use. Also include in this issue is information on Public Safety Drone Expo 2021, scheduled for October 18-22, in Reno, NV.
>> Bonus circulation: IACP 2021, New Orleans, LA
>> Bonus circulation: PUBLIC SAFETY DRONE EXPO 2021, Reno, NV

Aviation has embraced the use of flight simulation as a safe and cost-effective training tool. But advances in virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) are taking simulation to whole new level and opening up possibilities not only in pilot training, but in the training of the entire aircrew, mechanics and ground crew as well. One source reports the market for VR and AR in aviation is set to grow from less than $78 million last year to over $1.3 billion by 2025. This issue looks these advances and the benefits of using immersive technologies to take aviation training and, therefore safety, to the next level. Also included is a recap of the highlights of APSCON 2021, including our awards winners and scholarship recipients.
>> Bonus circulation: PUBLIC SAFETY DRONE EXPO 2021, Reno, NV

It’s been quite a while since an entire issue of Air Beat focused on one of our most requested subjects: fixed-wing operations. This issue looks at the wide range of uses of these aircraft in public safety missions such as law enforcement, firefighting, natural resource management, SAR and air medical transport.