The use and integration of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems has proven to be a valuable resource in response to hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and a variety of other incidents. Florida has led the nation on sUAS integration into emergency management and disaster response, and in 2024 the state will continue to develop this capability with a hybrid functional exercise to be held throughout the state.

The Catastrophic UAS Remote Sensing Exercise 2024, will be conducted on Wednesday, July 24th, 2024, and builds upon the successes and lessons learned during last year’s CURSE 23. The exercise will be run by the Florida UAS Working Group and Florida State University’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program in partnership with various Federal, state, and local stakeholders.

This exercise is a virtual functional exercise. Agencies and organizations can participate anywhere in the state (or nation).  Details on this method of participation will be forthcoming. Those interested in playing are encouraged to fill out our Exercise Interest Form.

The objectives for this exercise are:

  • Data and Product Management – Operational Communications (Response Mission Area)
    • Participants will process, analyze, and distribute imagery and related products in response to mission requests utilizing a variety of voice and IP communications tools.
  • Imagery Collection and Analysis – Situational Assessment (Response Mission Area)
    • Participants will utilize collected imagery to build local situational awareness at the local, state, and Federal levels.
  • Resource and Mission Command and Coordination – Operational Coordination (All Mission Areas)
    • Participants will work collaboratively to manage and fulfill mission and task requests with applicable imagery and analysis products.
  • Validate Data Sharing Workflows and EOC Processes – Planning (All Mission Areas)
    • Participants will build upon lessons learned during CURSE 23 to share applicable information and intelligence in a timely and effective manner.

All sUAS teams and resources that may participate in disaster response or recovery, including local missions, State Mutual Aid Assistance, or EMAC are invited and encouraged to participate. Participation is free, and no travel will be required.

Register to Participate in CURSE 24

The exercise will include a one-hour virtual workshop on the morning of Wednesday, July 24th, followed by the tabletop/functional hybrid exercise.  The morning workshop will introduce players to the methods and systems used to collect information and imagery products and distribute it to decision-makers.  During the functional portion of the day, participating agencies will work through the process of requesting resources, processing and analyzing collected data, and distributing those products to other stakeholders.  Participants can fly sUAS and collect data on the exercise day, or utilize previously collected imagery for this event.

Organizations that wish to participate are encouraged to fill out the Exercise Interest Form. Filling out this form will help us keep those interested updated about the details of this event in the coming days and weeks. If you have any questions about CURSE 24, please email David Merrick (dmerrick@em.fsu.edu) or Jarrett Broder (jbroder@em.fsu.edu).

Download the Florida UAS Position Task Book

This page last updated 2024-06-14.