Olds Fire Department to test drones for faster emergency response
Olds firefighters will test drones to speed emergency assessment and improve crew deployment.
The Olds Fire Department in Alberta has joined a University of Alberta pilot study examining how drones can support emergency response. The aircraft will use visual and thermal video to help assess the size, severity and hazards of an incident before responders commit equipment and personnel.
Fire department personnel have completed pilot training for the program. During an emergency, the drone will fly a straight path to the incident scene and provide a real-time aerial view, giving crews information they can use to identify visible dangers and plan a safer response.
The department said footage will be restricted to the University of Alberta study and protected from public release or unauthorized access. The drone will record only while observing the incident location, not while flying to or from the scene.
Residents in Olds may see or hear drone activity as the aircraft scouts an emergency before crews arrive. If successful under Transport Canada guidance and approvals, the pilot could help expand the use of drones in Canadian emergency response and improve safety and deployment in rural communities.