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Drone technology is not just for the battlefield. Now, drones can also be used to help fight fires.
While drones are commonly used by the military for surveillance and dropping bombs, unmanned aerial systems are now being developed for much broader uses outside the military.
Take, for instance, Datron's 2.5-pound drone equipped with a camera “Scout.”
The Scout — which can fly above 1,500 feet and has a two-mile radius — can help firefighters do their job more safely and effectively, according to Orion Linekin of Datron.
“The scout is designed as a squad level solution for that soldier on the front line or that firefighter public safety officer on the front line to get immediate situational awareness,” Linekin told NBC San Diego in an exclusive interview.
The drone’s design makes it ideal for helping fight fires.
"Anytime we have an aerial view for the incident commander it helps us make operational decisions," said Cal Fire San Diego Capt. Mike Mohler.
From Santa Ana winds-driven wildfires — like those that sparked back in 2007 — to providing a rooftop view for structural fires, Capt. Mohler says drones like the Scout can be another tool to help firefighters prevent death and destruction.
“If it's a Santa Ana wind-driven fire, maybe the next affected neighborhood, but if we have an aerial drone up we can see the rate of spread and know that within a certain amount of time a certain neighborhood or community may be threatened,” added Mohler.
It's a simple system that can be flown right from a touchscreen tablet.
“Then we just climb by holding on to the altitude bar,” explained Linekin.
And the Scout’s size, and easy assembly, makes it ideal for on-scene commanders.
“There’s still going to be a need to bring in helicopter assets and water drop assets, but those take longer to get on scene. This is something that comes immediately out of the truck and, within five minutes, you can be looking at what you’ve got to deal with,” said Linekin.
A little drone, with a big picture, that can help save lives.
The Scout is being demonstrated for its use in assisting firefighters, and it's already been used in a HAZMAT situation.
For the aforementioned potential use in Santa Ana winds-driven fires like in 2007, the Scout can fly in sustained winds greater than 30 mph and has stayed airborne in gusts greater than 50 mph.
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Everyone wants a Drone but the public will be prohibited from competing with the government. Slaves are not supposed to have any thing the BIG boys have but are supposed to pay for their toys. Who will be next to clamor for money for new toys?? .. It's getting DISGUSTING !!!
The possibility for ABUSE is very high.
Where is broke ass California going to find money for these? Don't tell me, a Federal Grant of some sort?
Drones are actually getting out of control. No more skinny-dipping in your back yard pool. Can you imagine the perverted operators who will be watching your wives and daughters now?
I've heard how some guys did nothing but follow "fine, good looking" women around the Casino floor, switching from camera to camera to keep up with them, in some cases following them into the casino hotels. Truly pathetic how some guys are, and I'm sure they'll use drones to do the same thing.
This is a great use for Drones, finally.
Anything that helps a firefighter get their job done in safe manner is winner in my book. This could also save lives, possibly even save properties and belongings that the fire personal weren't aware of when they started to fight a fire.
One question though, who would be operating the drone(s) as if this takes a firefighter off the line or away from fighting the fire itself it isn't as helpful then but I'm just guessing on that.
All around a great idea and I hope it helps the fire fighting crews big time.
I would imagine muddie that currently the firefighters are using some sort of on-the-ground scouting to get the awareness that a drone might provide. It may be more efficient and add FF's to the effort rather than reducing the number. One FF with a drone can probably see what it would take 10 people on the ground to figure out.
I agree with both you and Warren. This is a potentially great use for drones, but the people should be very skeptical of their use by law enforcement as there is also great potential for Constitutional abuse.
Yep everyone wants the new TOY..... How did we ever survive all this time without this TOY..... I see more Homeland Security Grants coming up to pay for them.....
A great use for this type of aircraft along with camera imagery to see the hot spots throughout a large area without putting anyone in harms way.
This is a foot in the door for law enforcement, code enforcement, regular patrols, traffic enforcement, etc. etc.
Easier to try to keep the genie in the bag than get it back in once the flood starts.
NO WAY.
LOL.....Yep, and people think "traffic cameras" are a problem. Wait until law enforcement unleash these more widespread than they already have. Keep your blinds closed, and don't let your kids skinny-dip in the back yard pool.
Sounds great.And when we catch them abusing this,public flogging followed by incarceration in the general population in prison
There are so many good things our govt has to offer.Drones ,immigration 'reform',spreading the wealth,'helping' in the middle east,assisting sovereign nations in their leadership selection process,the list is endless