DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Fire Department is taking firefighting into the future using drones to respond to emergencies.
Denver first launched its drone program five years ago after receiving a grant. Since then, the department has trained and licensed seven drone pilots and developed a program to use the technology to assist in emergencies.
“We put the drone up, we’re going to see 100% of what’s going on,” said Todd Bruin, assistant superintendent of fire alarm at Denver Fire Department.
The drones give them a bird’s-eye view of a fire. It also has a camera equipped with different modes including infrared and thermal imaging to help pinpoint hotspots, locate a missing person or detect other features that would be impossible to see with the naked eye.
Denver Fire’s most advanced drone can fly in rain, snow and wind up to 40 miles per hour. Its camera can zoom in more than half a mile and maintain a steady image.
The video is broadcast in real time to monitors in three of the department’s specialized response vehicles. The feed can also be sent to dispatch, fire officials and field crews.
“You’ve got a controller with a screen that’s only 5 inches. That’s no good to anybody. It’s good to me, but my incident command needs to see what I’m seeing,” Bruin said.
Drones can inspect fires before people arrive
The main use for the drones is during fires. They can inspect a structure before firefighters go in to minimize danger. The department can also use the recorded videos to learn what went right and what may have gone wrong during the response.
Denver Fire also uses drones during swift water rescues, search and rescue operations and high-angle rescues.
“I thought it was going to be all about drones and flying. It’s very little flying. We put the drone up and we park it. And everything else happens on the back end,” Bruin said.
The department plans to double its drone team in the future. The goal is to have a pilot available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Currently, overnight fires require an on-call pilot to respond.
One of Denver Fire’s long-term goals is for a drone to get the first view of every emergency.
“We’ll have strategic drones throughout the city that are on roofs of buildings. When a call comes in, the drone will take off. It’ll go to the incident before police, fire, EMS even arrive,” Bruin said. “They’ll get eyes on the scene and we’ll know right away how serious that incident is ahead of time.”
