DRONES are the latest firefighting recruits in Warwickshire.
Three cutting-edge drones will provide an aid to Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service at emergency call-outs.
Equipped with state-of-the-art features such as thermal imaging, range finders and live streaming capabilities directly to the WFRS operations room, the drones will offer an aerial overview of incidents.
The technology will provide incident commanders with information to help them make decisions swiftly, potentially reducing the need for human presence in life-threatening situations.
The drones’ ability to swiftly scan extensive areas will be particularly valuable in search and rescue operations and locating missing persons.
The drones have already been deployed in incidents since their launch in September and were put through their paces during a recent multi-agency training exercise at Kingsbury Water Park, simulating a flood scenario involving 18 missing persons.
Alex Orton, drone coordinator at WFRS, said: “These assets will greatly assist commanders during operational incidents, providing a deeper understanding of high-risk areas.
“A specialist team have been compiled from across the service and have received advanced drone training. This enables them to effectively pilot the drones during emergency situations, ultimately saving lives and ensuring the safety of our crews.”
Warwickshire County Council fire spokesman Coun Andy Crump welcomed the arrival of the new technology.
“WFRS’s adoption of three new drones represents a substantial leap forward in our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of Warwickshire residents and visitors.
“These drones offer invaluable aerial insights that will be instrumental in enhancing our response to various emergencies, reducing risks to our personnel, and ultimately protecting our communities.”
Click here to see a video of the drone in action.
