Drone Technology Strengthens Emergency Response for Muscogee Nation

Rhea-AI Summary

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma has enhanced its emergency response capabilities with a new mobile drone command center, funded by a $95,000 community investment grant from Marathon Petroleum's MPLX segment. The center enables simultaneous operation of up to five drones with real-time data transmission, supporting search and rescue, disaster response, and law enforcement operations. The funding decision was influenced by recent tornado events that caused loss of life on Muscogee Nation territory. The command center integrates drones from both the Office of Emergency Management and Lighthorse Police Department, significantly upgrading from previous controller screens.

Positive

• Strategic community investment of $95,000 strengthens relationship with Muscogee Nation where MPLX operates
• Expansion of operational presence through community partnerships in areas where company has existing assets

Negative

• None.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2024 / Marathon Petroleum Corporation

Key Points

• The Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma has enhanced its emergency response capabilities with the purchase of a new mobile, drone command center.

• The purchase was made possible through a $95,000 community investment grant facilitated by Marathon Petroleum's midstream segment, MPLX.

• The command center allows for operating as many as five drones simultaneously to reinforce search and rescue, disaster response and law enforcement operations.

The recent recovery of a missing five-year-old boy is an example of how the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma is benefiting from expanding the technology available to its emergency responders. A new mobile, drone command center has strengthened their capabilities to coordinate search and rescue, disaster response and law enforcement operations.

"The command center is a trailer for operating up to five drones concurrently with workstation screens that allow real-time data transmission from each drone, providing location and operational data," Muscogee Nation Emergency Management Director Bobby Howard said. "This provides quicker response times, the ability to cover large areas, and has bridged communication gaps during events."

The Muscogee Nation's Office of Emergency Management purchased the command center to help operate existing drone fleets through a $95,000 community investment grant facilitated by Marathon Petroleum's midstream segment, MPLX. The funding came after tornadoes this past spring caused loss of life on the Muscogee Nation, focusing attention on enhancing response capacity.

"It's very gratifying to provide technology through this new grant that could help make all the difference in critical moments."

"The Nation was previously limited to operating off the controllers for each of our drones, meaning there was only a four to eight-inch screen to see the video feeds," said Howard. "Now, the drones of the Office of Emergency Management and our Lighthorse Police Department are all integrated into the command center."

MPLX's Gathering and Processing (G&P) component operates extensive natural gas gathering and compression networks within the boundaries of the Muscogee Nation. The grant for the drone command center adds to G&P's ongoing community investment in the area that has involved workforce development initiatives.

"Given the location of our assets, we consider ourselves corporate neighbors and partners with the Muscogee Nation," said G&P Operations Senior Manager Ian Leybas. "It's very gratifying to provide technology through this new grant that could help make all the difference in critical moments."

In front of the mobile command center after its delivery, (L to R) MPLX representatives Ian Leybas, Ethan Moore, John Jacola, Joe Eldredge and V.J. Smith with Muscogee Nation representatives Ashleigh Merchant, Bobby Howard and Chad Bonds.

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SOURCE: Marathon Petroleum Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

How much did MPLX (MPC) invest in the Muscogee Nation drone command center?

MPLX, Marathon Petroleum's midstream segment, provided a $95,000 community investment grant for the mobile drone command center.

What capabilities does the new Muscogee Nation drone command center funded by MPC have?

The command center can operate up to five drones simultaneously with real-time data transmission, supporting search and rescue, disaster response, and law enforcement operations.

Why did MPLX (MPC) fund the Muscogee Nation drone command center in 2024?

MPLX funded the project due to their extensive natural gas gathering operations within Muscogee Nation boundaries and in response to tornado-related casualties that highlighted the need for enhanced emergency response capabilities.