LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Search and rescue operations could get faster in eight central Kentucky counties, as the Lincoln Trail Area Development District announced it has a new fleet of advanced drones.

All eight counties in the Lincoln Trail Area Development District now have drones for disasters.

“It's my thoughts; if you don't have one, you need to,” said Lt. Travis Cook of the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.

LTADD used a grant in 2023 to buy aerial drones for seven counties in the district. Cook said the drones are improving the speed of search and rescue efforts.

“If we had boots on the ground, that would take us hours, even days, to locate somebody," Cook said. "With the Matrice 300, it's a matter of minutes." 

LTADD announced Wednesday it is adding two specialized drones to its fleet, which will be shared throughout the region. That includes a new underwater drone.

“We do a lot of shared regional assets just because these resources are so costly, and it wouldn't be an effective use of the commonwealth’s funding,” said Rebecca Williams, Marion County Emergency Management director.

Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., celebrated the new fleet and said it will help the commonwealth be better prepared for natural disasters.

“This drone fleet will be able to survey damage; it will be able to find people that are in need of help," Beshear said. "It can help in a major natural disaster or in a missing person's case." 

Cook has been leading the training efforts on the new underwater drone, which requires about a minimum of 40 hours of training.

“When it comes to life, it's an invaluable tool,” Cook said.

LTADD said it is the only organization outside the state government that has a fleet of drones for disasters.

Beshear also announced nearly $77,000 in funding for sidewalks, crosswalks and lighting in Elizabethtown.