Climate Resilience with Drones and AI
At this year’s Health Systems Implementing Climate Action event during Climate Week NYC, CVS Health outlined how one of the country’s largest healthcare providers is preparing for and responding to the rising risks of climate-driven disasters. The presentation demonstrated how technology, logistics, and strategic partnerships are being used to create a more resilient healthcare system that can withstand the disruptions of extreme weather.
Safeguarding Access to Care During Extreme Weather
Jenny McColloch, Vice President of Sustainability and Community Impact at CVS Health, explained that the company is focused on protecting patients, communities, and frontline healthcare workers as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and heatwaves become more frequent. She emphasized that ensuring uninterrupted access to essential services is not only a matter of business continuity but also a commitment to public health and safety.
In her remarks, McColloch described how CVS Health is using predictive data and Geographic Information Systems to anticipate potential disruptions and reroute supply chains so that pharmacy services remain available even when traditional networks are down. She noted that new technology-enabled solutions are becoming central to these efforts, including the use of drone delivery, smart packaging, and rapid pharmacy recovery initiatives. Alongside these innovations, CVS is also investing directly in local organizations and relief partners to provide immediate assistance while supporting long-term recovery and resilience in communities most affected by disaster.
Partnership with SkyfireAI Expands Capabilities
A major focus of the presentation was CVS Health’s work with SkyfireAI, a company known for its expertise in drones and AI-powered autonomy. Together, CVS Health and SkyfireAI are piloting and scaling drone operations that help the company respond more quickly and effectively when disaster strikes. Drones are being used to assess damage to CVS facilities and community health centers, deliver critical specialty medications and emergency medical supplies when roads are impassable, and provide real-time situational awareness that helps public and private stakeholders accelerate response times.
The results of these efforts have already been seen in recent hurricanes, when CVS deployed SkyfireAI drones to determine the operational status of facilities within hours. This capability allowed state and federal agencies to reallocate resources with greater efficiency and gave CVS the ability to restore services for vulnerable patients days ahead of competitors.
Matt Sloane, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of SkyfireAI, described the partnership as rooted in shared values. “Watching how CVS Health shows up for communities in the middle of a disaster leaves a real impression on us at SkyfireAI,” said Sloane. “Their willingness to invest in people, employees, customers, and neighbors alike goes beyond business. It’s about stepping in when it matters most, and that’s why we’re proud to stand alongside them.”
Building a Scalable Model for Resilience
The Climate Week discussion highlighted the increasing pressure on healthcare systems as climate-related disasters grow in intensity. CVS Health’s integrated model, strengthened by collaboration with innovation partners such as SkyfireAI, offers a practical blueprint for resilience. By combining predictive data, advanced technology, and community investment, the company is demonstrating how health systems can protect access to care not only in the immediate aftermath of disasters but also in building stronger, more sustainable systems for the future.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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