Press Release: LTADD Executive Board transfers underwater drone to Nelson County Emergency Management and invests in regionally responding dive team

Elizabethtown, KY – November 20, 2025 – At the November Lincoln Trail Area Development District (LTADD) Executive Board Meeting, the Board approved the permanent transfer of the district’s underwater drone to the Nelson County Emergency Management Agency (NCEMA) and approved investments to expand the agency’s existing dive team. The transition to NCEMA ensures the drone remains accessible to all regional emergency management agencies and will now be supported by a dedicated, expanded dive team.

“LTADD is committed to ensuring this underwater drone resource is available to our entire region,” said LTADD Executive Director Daniel London.“Connecting this essential resource with a strong and growing dive team like NCEMA means our counties have access to life-saving resources when they need it the most.”

The underwater drone is part of LTADD’s ten-drone fleet intended to play a critical role in supporting area emergency managers during emergencies. Each LTADD county has access to an aerial drone to utilize for search and rescue, recovery operations, structural damage assessments, and more following natural disasters and critical events. 

Regional emergency management agencies have access to two additional specialized drones as part of the fleet. One features enhanced surveying and structural analysis functions, and the underwater drone is equipped for underwater operations, providing versatile support for a range of emergency scenarios. In the event of a large-scale incident, all drones can be deployed collectively, creating a powerful, coordinated response network across the region.

Brad Metcalf, Nelson County’s Deputy Judge/Executive and Emergency Management Director, said the district’s investment in the dive team and the opportunity to help the region made this an easy decision. 

“Without partnerships between the counties and LTADD, projects like the aerial drone team, the underwater remotely operated vehicle and the dive team would not be possible,” Metcalf said. “LTADD’s forward thinking vision puts our first responders at the cutting edge of technology, and we cannot thank them enough.” 

In addition to the transfer, LTADD designated funds to support the expansion of the NCEMA Dive Team. Based in Nelson County, the NCEMA dive team received funding for equipment, resources and training which allows for the addition of five new divers. 

“We are grateful for the continued support of Nelson County and all our emergency management partners to make sure resources like these are available to our region,” London said.

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About LTADD: The Lincoln Trail Area Development District (LTADD) is a regional quasi-government agency dedicated to fostering strong relationships with the communities it serves across Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, and Washington counties. By focusing on innovative solutions to community challenges, LTADD aims to develop economically and socially acceptable strategies that meet the unique needs of the region. LTADD provides a wide range of services including programs for aging, economic development assistance, workforce training, local government support, engineering, communications, and transportation planning.