From deadly wildfires in Texas to catastrophic hurricanes and flooding in North Carolina, natural disasters have been increasing in frequency and intensity each year. For nearly 20 years, StormPoint has been redefining how communities prepare for and respond to natural disasters, with DJI Enterprise drones becoming an integral part of their toolkit in recent years.
Last year, the Tennessee-based emergency response nonprofit answered over 300 calls. Its work spans nine states, providing critical aid during some of the nation’s most severe natural disasters. One of its most memorable missions involved finding a missing autistic child during a thunderstorm. Deploying two M210s equipped with thermal imaging, StormPoint located the child within 13 minutes and safely directed responders to his location.
"Having reliable tools like DJI’s drones makes all the difference in our ability to respond effectively and quickly," said Russell Bradshaw, founder and executive director of StormPoint. "It’s not just about the technology—it’s about how we use it to protect and support communities."
Volunteer-Powered Excellence in Disaster Response
StormPoint’s strength lies in its dedicated team of volunteers, all with extensive public safety backgrounds and FAA Part 107 certifications. Driven by a shared commitment to saving lives, these individuals devote countless hours to training and preparing to respond effectively when a disaster strikes.
"You put hundreds of hours into training and equipment, all for that one moment when you can make someone’s worst day a little better. That’s why we do this," shared Russell, who was inspired by his years of service as a volunteer firefighter and in law enforcement. Russell’s early experiences with public safety professionals left a lasting impression, motivating him to establish an organization that embodies the same spirit of dedication and community care.
Technology Driving Life-Saving Missions
Phase One: Response
StormPoint’s success is powered by advanced technology, specifically the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and DJI Matrice 30. The immediate aftermath of a natural disaster is known as the response phase, during which StormPoint’s team focuses on search and rescue. This can be daunting, as teams must navigate devastated areas while often constrained by daylight. Using the drones’ hybrid sensors, rescue teams can more easily locate individuals by detecting their heat signatures through thermal imaging. Additionally, the drones’ multi-sensor cameras enable rescuers to zoom in on details and pinpoint locations with the Laser Range Finder, operating effectively day or night.
From the team’s temporary home base, command staff have situational awareness thanks to their drone’s live-streamed video feed. This gives the on-the-ground team a bird’s eye view. For instance, when roads are not accessible, the command staff can provide guidance on how to navigate to a missing, injured, or stranded person’s location.
Phase Two: Recovery
When teams shift their focus to damage assessment, documentation, and recovery, drone technology remains invaluable for the precise mapping of disaster areas. The drone’s wide-angle lens with a mechanical shutter can take overlapping images every 0.7 seconds. These images are then stitched into georeferenced 2D maps comparable to historical satellite imagery.
During Hurricane Helene, the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise enabled the StormPoint team to rapidly map over 3,700 acres of flood-affected areas, while the Matrice 30T helped identify critical heat signatures and visual clues in the search for stranded individuals.
“At DJI, we are truly inspired to see first responders utilize our technology as a vital tool in the search, response, and recovery phases, helping to support and rebuild communities in their time of need." said Wayne Baker, Direct of Stakeholder Engagement at DJI.
Local police departments in North Carolina also deployed DJI drones. Using a Mavic 3T donated by DJI, the Greensboro Police Department enhanced its capacity to respond to disasters with cutting-edge thermal imaging and mapping capabilities. Meanwhile, the Asheville Police Department used two Matrice 350 drones loaned by DJI during a critical period, allowing responders to conduct comprehensive aerial assessments and direct rescue efforts more effectively.
