Drones in Firefighting

Firefighters are increasingly turning to drones as a tool to aid in their operations. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are equipped with cameras and sensors that allow firefighters to quickly and safely assess a fire and make informed decisions about how to best contain and extinguish it.

One of the biggest advantages of using drones in firefighting is the ability to quickly survey a fire from the air. Drones can fly over a fire and provide real-time images and video footage that can be used to map the fire's spread, identify hot spots, and track the movement of smoke and ash. This information is crucial for firefighters on the ground, as it allows them to better understand the scope of the fire and make informed decisions about how to best contain and extinguish it.

Another benefit of using drones in firefighting is the ability to safely and quickly access areas that may be too dangerous for firefighters to enter. Drones can fly into burning buildings, for example, and provide images and video footage of the interior, which can be used to determine the location of hotspots and potential hazards. This information can be used to plan evacuation routes and make decisions about how to safely and effectively fight the fire.

According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, in 2019, drones were used in more than 1,700 wildland fire incidents across the United States, and that number continues to grow. The use of drones in firefighting is expected to increase in the coming years, as more and more fire departments invest in these valuable tools including:

Search and Rescue: The Los Angeles Fire Department has deployed drones to search for missing persons and to drop supplies to firefighters on the ground. The drones have been used in various emergency situations such as wildfire, floods, and earthquakes.

The Houston Fire Department: The Houston Fire Department has used drones to quickly assess the damage caused by large fires and to plan evacuation routes. Drones equipped with cameras and sensors have provided firefighters with real-time images and video footage of the fires, which has helped them to better understand the scope of the fires and make informed decisions about how to best contain and extinguish them.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department: The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in Virginia, USA has been using drones to help with search and rescue operations, as well as to inspect buildings, bridges and other infrastructure. They also use the drones in emergency situations such as gas leaks, chemical spills, and hazardous materials incidents.

The most common drones and payloads used in firefighting are quadcopters with thermal and multispectral cameras. They can be used to monitor fire intensity, locate hotspots and determine the direction of fire spread. They can also be used to map the terrain, monitor water resources, and provide real-time situational awareness as mentioned above.

Measur Drones specializes in providing drone technology solutions for various industries, including fire departments. Here are a few ways that we can help fire departments adopt drone technology:

Training: we provide training for fire departments on how to safely and effectively operate drones. This includes training on the proper use of cameras and sensors.

Customized Solutions: we offer customized solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of fire departments. This can include the integration of thermal imaging cameras, long-range communications, and other specialized equipment that is designed to improve the effectiveness of firefighting operations.

Maintenance and Support: with our ongoing maintenance and support for drone systems, we ensure that your drones are always in good working condition and ready to be used in an emergency situation.

Safety Guidance: we can also assist fire departments in complying with legal regulations and safety standards for UAVs operations.