Phase 1 Project Findings & Lessons Learned

Phase I

The Drone Transport Initiative has successfully completed phase I of its project! Scroll below to check out the accomplishments DTI has achieved throughout this phase.

Timeline

The DTI is a partnership project with the University of British Columbia, Stellat’en First Nation, the Village of Fraser Lake, the First Nation Health Authority, and other health system partners.
People living in rural and remote communities often receive delayed diagnoses and treatment compared to their urban counterparts. While the COVID-19 Pandemic enabled changes that allow more people to see their doctors virtually, accessing diagnostic tests, medications and medical supplies is still more challenging for people living in rural communities.
The DTI aimed to test the use of drones to address some of these health system challenges and identify the partnerships and collaborations needed to implement this novel technology into local health services

2020

  • Spring

    Developed project concept

  • Aug

    Funding applications

2021

  • Jan

    Received funding

  • May

    Hired Sr PM

  • Jul

    Contracted vendor

  • Jul – Sept

    Secured sites, construction, hired in-community staff

  • Sept

    Student contests

  • Oct

    Opening Ceremony

  • Nov

    Began temperature testing

2022

  • Jan

    Transportation of Dangerous Goods approval from Transport Canada to fly medications and batteries

  • Mar

    Began medication transportation

  • May

    Beyond Visual Line of Sight approval from Transport Canada

  • Jul

    Hosted Transport Canada for rural first responder conversation on drone policies

  • Jul – Sept

    Developed documents for Diagnostic Accreditation Program application

  • Oct

    Held Closing Ceremony

2023

  • June

    Hosted report back event

Drone Performance

FLIGHTS COMPLETED

1228

SCHEDULED FLIGHTS FLOWN

44%

3628 flights were scheduled over 240 days

  • Flights On-time: 728 (20%)
  • Flights Delayed: 500 (14%)
  • Flights Cancelled: 2400 (66%)

TOP REASONS FOR CANCELLATION

47.7%

WEATHER-RELATED

High winds, cloud ceiling, temperature outside specified range for operation
(-10C and +40C)

30.7%

TECHNICAL-RELATED

Drone technical issues included connectivity, overheating, GPS, internet, and battery life.
Non-drone technical issues include communication connections between the headquarters and staff on the ground.

16.9%

CREW-RELATED

Factors like scheduled meetings, holidays, flight demonstrations, and school field trips. This variable may be less impactful if flights are not on a schedule but are scheduled on demand to reflect community needs.

Relationship Engagement

Phase I marked the incorporation of drone technology in First Nation communities. By the end of phase I we were able to:

6

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS

2

ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLIES

4

OPENING & CLOSING CEREMONIES

Survey Findings

31 community members were surveyed regarding questions about the Drone Transport Initiative

96%

are aware that the drone is delivering medications in the community

91%

believe drone transport can improve health access

71%

would like their community to participate in future drone projects

3%

found the noise and daily operation of the drone project a nuisance

Interview Findings

20

COLLABORATORS & STAFF INTERVIEWED

  • Having a trusted sponsor championing the project in the community enabled the project to be executed in a short timeline
  • Respecting culture underpins the success of the project (Indigenous value of reciprocity, whole-of-community relationship building, awareness of community governance and relationship with other organizations)
  • Greater emphasis on change management with operational staff is needed

Lessons Learned

  1. The project successes were built on the existing trusting relationships of the project sponsor (20+ years working at Stellat’en First Nation).
  2. Expanding the cargo menu identified by the communities requires closer collaboration with Health Authorities.
  3. Bringing services closer to home empowers elders and individuals. This is a high priority for Stellat’en First Nation and other remote and rural communities.
  4. An on-demand drone service model is more responsive to the needs of remote communities.
  5. Fit-for-purpose technology that can weather Canadian winters is being developed and can improve the reliability of drone technology

Donors and Project Collaborators

This project is a collaboration between Stellat’en First Nation, the Village of Fraser Lake, the University of British Columbia, First Nation Health Authority, Carrier Sekani Family Services, Rural Coordination Centre of BC, LifeLabs, and BC School District 91.

The project is made possible thanks to TD Ready Challenge, LifeLabs, Canadian Healthy Communities, Canfor, Air-Canada, and donations from UBC Giving Day.