1

Introduction of Firefighting Drones into Fire Department

Student's Name

Institution

Course Number and Name

Instructor

Due Date
 2

Introduction of Firefighting Drones into Fire Department

Introduction

According to an article by JOUAV (2024), every year, fires inflict havoc all across the

planet, resulting in loss of life, the annihilation of biological systems, and the ruin of

communities. Within the United States alone, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

reported 3.7 million fires in 2022, resulting in over 3,700 deaths and $15.5 billion in property

damage (JOUAV, 2024). Firefighting rambles have emerged as a game-changing tool to address

this urgent issue. These ethereal miracles, designed with advanced ingenuity, transform

FirefightingFirefighting by improving situational awareness, increasing security, and enhancing

Performance.

The same information is backed up by another article by Ghosh (2024), where she noted

that in a world with increasing autonomy, drones now serve as eyes in the sky for firefighters

(Ghosh, 2024). As a result, they are now seen as an important firefighting tool for firefighters,

particularly in and around metropolitan areas where devastating fires can break out in high-rise

structures (Ghosh, 2024). Firefighting drones provide firefighters cutting-edge technology while

complementing conventional resources such as fire engines, ladders, and special suits.

Firefighters may now obtain information from the air in a timely and cost-effective way.

A notable example is the fatal fire that happened at a warehouse in Oakland, California,

in 2016. The warehouse had been turned into a residential area called the Ghost Ship (Ghosh,

2024). The fire, which killed 36 people, was among the worst in Oakland history. After the fire

was suppressed, firefighters utilized drones with thermal imaging sensors to locate hotspots and

hunt for vulnerable structures (Ghosh, 2024). The efficacy of drones is becoming more

widespread as governments worldwide utilize the technology.

 3

Another example is a 21kg drone called Sap (Ported Nozzle System in Portuguese), one

of the most recent technologies in the battle against wildfires (Reese, 2023). The drone is

lightweight, simple, and can be operated from low heights, as shown in the picture below. With a

seven-foot wingspan and primarily built of carbon fiber, it can reach areas that are too dangerous

or impossible for firefighters to reach, according to Carlos Viegas, a mechanical engineer who

directs the Field Tech Lab at the University of Coimbra and co-led the project (Reese, 2023).

According to Reese (2023), the drone is big and hovers around 15 meters above the ground, with

a fireproof hose dangling from its belly. A pair of nozzles on either side of the hose pour water

on the flames while the drone's pilot controls the gadget from the back of a fire truck, which

houses the device's water source (Reese, 2023). The fire was extinguished in approximately two

and a half minutes.

Figure 1: Drone demonstration of putting out the fire (Reese, 2023).

 4

In another article by Goldstein (2024), he noted that since 2015, the Los Angeles Fire

Department has used drones to help incident commanders better comprehend the situation. The

agency routinely receives reports about lost or wounded hikers in the Hollywood Hills. This

search and rescue operation usually requires helicopters, ambulances, and other emergency

vehicles. However, with drones, response teams can respond faster, acquire immediate and

thermal photos, and better allocate resources. As the New York City Fire Department's

experience demonstrates, drones can also assist firefighters in monitoring while entering,

departing, or remaining within a burning building.

Benefits of drones in FirefightingFirefighting

Drones are increasingly used in firefighting operations to provide real-time situational

awareness, map the fire perimeter, and identify hotspots. Drones equipped with infrared cameras

can also detect humans or animals needing rescue, allowing firefighters to respond more quickly

and efficiently. Additionally, firefighting drones are public safety drones that serve as first

responders. These miniature uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) are outfitted with cutting-edge

technologies such as thermal imaging to assist firefighters in crises. One of firefighting drones'

most crucial duties is continuously monitoring forest fires. They serve as eyes in the sky,

recording continuous aerial imagery of fires in their natural settings. UAVs can also monitor

traffic conditions and potentially harmful situations, such as gas leaks from train carriages and

other vehicles.

Some of the advantages of using drones in FirefightingFirefighting include:

1. First responders can use firefighting drones to give aerial imagery before deploying

emergency responders, reducing risk to on-site firefighters (Bousquet, 2024). This could
 5

include identifying regions with high concentrations of combustible materials or gases

and roofs that have collapsed. Drones can also be utilized for training in fire simulation

exercises.

2. Firefighting drones are outfitted with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors and

thermal imaging cameras to detect targets in the smoke and collect critical data for better

public surveillance (Bousquet, 2024). Thermal imaging cameras allow for rapid and

focused intervention in forest and urban fires by detecting heat, fire start, fire spread, and

the risk of rekindling. They assist in locating persons in danger, identifying escapes, and

detecting fire sources that are unseen to the naked eye (Bousquet, 2024). This enables

police teams to focus resources on the most vital places while protecting troops on the

ground. Additional payload choices for FirefightingFirefighting: foam dispensers, water

cannons, and dry powder (Bousquet, 2024). Firefighting drones with speakers can

instantly connect with persons in peril and deliver critical information to rescue

personnel.

Thermal imaging cameras can detect heat fingerprints, making them an important tool for

firefighters searching burning structures (Verizon, 2023). Fire department drones enable

firefighters to employ thermal imaging without jeopardizing their lives or safety. Drones

may fly above, around, and into buildings to detect embers and trapped individuals. At

the Nelson Creek Fire in Walker County, Texas, data relayed by a firefighting drone

alerted firefighters to embers trapped in fallen trees, helping them to extinguish the fire

swiftly and safely (Verizon, 2023).

Another advantage of drones being equipped with thermal imaging is that they can be

used for navigation. Navigating through smoke and debris in complicated fire conditions,
 6

such as significant forest fires or high-rise building fires, can be challenging (Fdcs, 2024).

Drones fitted with thermal imaging sensors can see through smoke and darkness,

allowing firefighters to find casualties and better analyze the fire situation. This capacity

is beneficial in search and rescue missions, where every second matters (Fdcs, 2024).

Drones can cover broad regions quickly, giving critical information to save lives and

expedite rescue operations.

3. Researchers are using drones to gather data in near real-time for artificial intelligence

(AI)-based platforms that model fire detection and progression and wildfire prediction.

These tools can help fire departments allocate resources more effectively (Verizon,

2023). A few instances include:

 Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services in California employ a drone with

infrared and thermal detection sensors to detect heat signatures in high-risk or

isolated places, such as the 480-acre Salinas Riverbed (Verizon, 2023). The fire

department drone can cover this region faster than a person on foot and spot fires

more quickly.

 FireMap, developed by the San Diego Supercomputer Center at the University of

California, San Diego, builds prediction maps using data from drones, satellites,

sensors, and cameras.

 A NASA-backed fire spread forecast algorithm uses air measurements taken by

drones over the wildfire canopy (Verizon, 2023).

 An early warning system supported by the United States Department of

Agriculture notifies firefighters when they may be in danger based on fire and

wind data collected by drones (Verizon, 2023).

 7

4. Drones are an economical and effective tool for battling fires. Compared to more

conventional aerial surveillance methods like human-crewed aircraft, drones are less

expensive to operate and maintain (Fdcs, 2024). They require little logistical support and

may be quickly deployed to carry out various tasks. This efficiency makes more frequent

and comprehensive fire incident monitoring possible, reducing operating costs.

5. Drones can help with post-incident monitoring and evaluation even after extinguishing

the fire. They can conduct surveys in impacted regions to assess the degree of the

damage, identify possible dangers, and determine the need for further resources or

follow-up steps (Fdcs, 2024). This information is crucial for immediate recovery efforts

and long-term planning, allowing us to address residual concerns promptly.

Types of drones used for FirefightingFirefighting

Quadcopters with thermal and multispectral sensors are the most commonly used drones

and payloads in FirefightingFirefighting. They may be used to monitor the progression of a fire,

locate hotspots, and determine the severity of the fire (Measure, n.d.). As previously noted, they

may provide real-time situational awareness, monitor water resources, and map topography.

They include:

1. DJI Matrice 30T

Cost: $10,919.00/piece
 8

Some of the features of the drone include:

1. It has excellent flying Performance, with up to 40 minutes of flying time and a

maximum speed of 23 m/s; the M30T is perfect for long-duration missions.

2. Has intelligent flight modes, including TapFly, ActiveTrack, Point of Interest,

Waypoint, and more (Measure, n.d.).

3. A sound, dual battery system that allows for longer flight times.

4. It has numerous obstacle avoidance systems using sensors that help to prevent

collisions.

5. It uses Flight Autonomy technology to help you fly safely and effectively

(Measure, n.d.).

2. HZH CF30 Urban Firefighting Drone – with Fire Fighting Missile

Cost: US $38105-43970 / Piece

Some of the firefighting drone parameters are below

Table 1: As picked from the HZH website (HFH, 2022).

Material Carbon fiber + Aviation aluminum

 9

Wheelbase 1200mm

Size 1240mm*1240mm*730mm

Folded size 670mm*530mm*730mm

Weight of empty machine 17.8KG

Maximum load weight 30KG

Endurance ≥ 50 minutes unladen

Wind resistance level 9

Protection level IP56

Cruising speed 0-20m/s

Operating voltage 61.6V

Battery capacity 27000mAh*2

Flight altitude ≥ 5000m

Operating temperature -30°to70°

The drone is as shown below:

 10

Some other features of the drone include:

1. Having window-breaking fire-extinguishing munitions on hand can effectively

extinguish residential fires in high-rise buildings by shattering the glass and

releasing a dry powder extinguishing agent to quell the flames (HFH, 2022).

2. It is outfitted with a dual-axis high-definition camera that can provide real-time

image data.

3. A more precise and reliable launch thanks to the FPV crosshair targeting

technology.

4. Able to shatter windows with double-paned insulating glass 10 mm thick or

thinner (HFH, 2022).

3. DJI Mavic 3 Thermal

Cost: $6,879.00/piece

The Mavic 3 Thermal is a tiny, versatile drone with various applications, including

search and rescue, inspection, and public safety (Measure, n.d.). With a built-in
 11

camera and a flight time of up to 45 minutes, the Mavic 3 is a powerful yet compact

gadget, as shown below:

Some of its features include:

 Firefighters can take excellent thermal pictures and videos from a distance

with a thermal camera that has a 30x magnification.

 They can get the most accurate data thanks to its dual vision technology,

which combines thermal and optical data (Measure, n.d.).

 The drone's enhanced thermal sensitivity allows it to detect objects at lower

temperatures and greater distances.

 Its clever flying modes, such as Follow Me and Point of Interest, make it

simple to take thermal pictures and videos of an area where Firefighting

occurs (Measur, n.d.).

 Firefighters can access features like position tracking, thermal imaging data,

and more with the Mavic Three Thermal's smartphone app.

4. DJI Matrice 300 RTK

Cost: $10,004.00/piece
 12

The Matrice 300 RTK is DJI's most recent commercial drone platform, influenced by

current aviation technology. With up to 55 minutes of flying endurance, superior AI

capabilities, six orientation sensors and location, and other features, the M300 RTK

sets a new benchmark for intelligence, high Performance, and unrivaled dependability

(Measur, n.d.). It is as shown below:

Some of its other features include:

 The robust, foldable airframe of the Matrice 300 RTK can withstand strong

winds and bad weather.

 More extended missions are made possible by its 55-minute flight time.

 It has a dual-band GNSS receiver with centimeter-level accuracy and a high-

precision RTK module (Measure, n.d.).

 It can hold up to three camera payloads, so you can simultaneously take

pictures from many angles.

 The DJI Pilot app, which comes with the M300 RTK, offers a comprehensive

suite of features for controlling and monitoring your aircraft (Measure, n.d.).
 13

 Its intelligent flight modes simplify challenging maneuvers, including Tap

Fly, Waypoint, and Point of Interest.

 Because of its excellent obstacle identification, the device can steer clear of

obstructions in its path (Measur, n.d.).

5. FU6 Fire Fighting Drone

The FU6 Fire Fighting Drone's primary frame is entirely built of a novel

carbon fiber material, which provides a safe and fireproof power system (Integral

Drones, 2021). The digital pan/scan combines GPS with precise fire detection and

real-time monitoring, enabling night-flight operations. Another advantage of the

drone is that engineers do not have to be stressed by the field wiring and powerlines

because it uses wireless digital transmission instead (Integral Drones, 2021). The FU6

fire extinguisher drones are not only quick to deploy, but they can also detect and

extinguish fires. They are frequently employed in various sectors since they are

commonly found in large metropolitan high-rise structures and wooded regions.

Some of the specifications of the drone include:

Table 2: Drone specifications (Integral Drones, 2021)

Overall Length 2260mm

Overall Width 2260mm

Overall Height 530mm

Max Take Off Weight 28kg

 14

Max Mission Capacity 13kg

Max Flight Duration 55 minutes

Max Flight Height 300m

Safe Take Off and Landing Wind Speed ≤5 Level

Dry Chemical Projectile Data #

Sphere Diameter 150mm

Sphere Weight 1150±150g

Alarm Loudness 115dB

Effective Range 3 m³

Fire Extinction Time ≤3s

Working Environment Temperature ﹣10°C～70°C

Fire Extinction Level A/B/C/E/F

Using Method Drop it into Fire Position

Expiration Date 5 years

 15

Suspension and Release of Equipment Data #

Net Weight 1.7kg

Overall Size 470*317*291mm

7075 Aviation
Material
Aluminum/Carbon Fiber

Voltage 24v

Release Type Single/Double bomb

Suggestion of Release Height 5-50m

Max Capacity 6 units

Communication Connection PMW Signal

The drones are as follows:

 16

Drone Training Requirements

For the training needed by the firefighters that will operate the drones, some of the requirements

will include the following:

 The firefighters must be at least 16 years old (FAA, 2024).

 To fly a drone safely, firefighters must be able to read, speak, write, and understand

English and be physically and mentally fit.

 Pass the introductory aeronautical knowledge test for Unmanned Aircraft General - Small

(UAG) (FAA, 2024).

 Certificate holders must undergo online recurrent training every 24 calendar months to

keep their aeronautical knowledge current.

The process of becoming a drone pilot includes the following:

 To get an FAA Tracking Number (FTN), create an Integrated Airman Certification and

Rating Application (IACRA) profile before enrolling for a knowledge exam.

 Set up an appointment with an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. Bring a

government-issued picture ID to your exam (FAA, 2024).

 17

 Pass the introductory aeronautical knowledge test for "Unmanned Aircraft General -

Small (UAG)." The topics included in the knowledge test include:

o Regulations governing small unmanned aircraft system ratings, limits, and flying

operations

o Airspace categorization and operating standards, and flying limitations

o Influencing the operation of tiny uncrewed aircraft.

o Aviation weather sources and their implications on the Performance of tiny

uncrewed aircraft.

o Small unmanned aircraft loading and Performance.

o Emergency Procedures

o Crew resource management

o Radio Communication Procedures

o Assessing the Performance of Tiny Unmanned Aircraft

o The physiological consequences of drugs and alcohol (FAA, 2024).

o Aeronautical decisions and judgment

o Airport operations.

o Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures

o Operating at night

Existing part 61 holders must have a pilot certificate issued under 14 CFR part 61 and have

completed a flying review within the last 24 months to maintain aeronautical knowledge (FAA,

2024).

Drone Regulations
 18

Firefighters should also know the regulations regarding controlling drones and

certification (Spell, 2018). Part 107's operating limits encompass basic flight constraints, such as

a drone weighing less than 55 pounds and flying within line of sight. Furthermore, drone flights

are forbidden under Part 107 and must be conducted only during the day, at a maximum height

of 400 feet, and outside restricted airspace (Spell, 2018).

Moreover, Part 107 specifies the regions of operation where waiver authorizations are

suitable, the size and features of authorized aircraft, flight limits, and airspace restrictions (Spell,

2018). Section 333 of the same act provides waiver authorizations, which are the foundation of

civil aviation for protecting life and property.

One thing to look for as a fire department is the ‘Public aircraft operations under a Certificate

of Waiver or Authorization (PAO CAO).’ The broad definition of public unmanned aircraft

activities under PAO COA includes safety inspections, wildland fire analysis, and search and

rescue (Spell, 2018). This offers unlimited public flights for a certain period, subject only to

renewal review. Waivers are the term for specific exclusions from PAO, such as Remote Pilot

Certification, and they can be sought as separate addenda in the form of a COA.

References

Bousquet, S. (2024, September 24). Page petite fille SD - firefighting drone. Elistair.

https://elistair.com/firefighting-drone/

FAA. (2024, February 15). Become a certificated remote pilot. Become a Certificated Remote

Pilot | Federal Aviation Administration.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot
 19

Fdcs. (2024, November 8). The role of drones in modern FirefightingFirefighting. FDCS.

https://fdcstx.com/blog/f/the-role-of-drones-in-modern-firefighting

Ghosh, B. (2024, March 28). How are drones used in FirefightingFirefighting? Enterprise Drone

Autonomy Software Platform. https://www.flytbase.com/blog/drone-fire-fighting

Goldstein , P. (2024, August 19). Firefighting drones help localities battle blazes in the wild and

cities. Technology Solutions That Drive Government.

https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2021/12/firefighting-drones-help-localities-battle-

blazes-wild-and-cities-perfcon

HFH. (2022). China hzh CF30 urban firefighting drone – with fire fighting missile factory and

manufacturers: Hongfei. https://www.hongfeidrone.com/.

https://www.hongfeidrone.com/hzh-cf30-urban-firefighting-drone-with-fire-fighting-

missile-product/

Integral Drones. (2021, August 13). Fu6 fire fighting drone: The Industrial Drone Specialists.

https://www.integraldrones.com.au/product/fu6-fire-fighting-drone/

JOUAV. (2024, October 16). Firefighting drones: How are drones used for fire departments?

https://www.jouav.com/blog/drones-in-firefighting.html#:~:text=Increased%20Safety

%20for%20Firefighters,%2C%20structure%2C%20and%20potential%20dangers.

Measur. (n.d.). Drones in Firefighting. Measur Drones.

https://drones.measur.ca/blogs/news/drones-in-firefighting#:~:text=One%20of%20the

%20biggest%20advantages,movement%20of%20smoke%20and%20ash.
 20

Reese, A. (2023, June 14). The Portuguese drone that douses wildfires from above. BBC News.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230609-can-we-use-firefighting-drones-put-out-

wildfires

Spell, J. (2018, November 2). A firefighter’s guide to UAS certification. FireRescue1.

https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/drones/articles/a-firefighters-guide-to-uas-

certification-OpXOwLxoZnEgOhwb/

Verizon. (2023, January 24). Above the smoke: The case for using drones for

FirefightingFirefighting. Verizon Enterprise.

https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/articles/s/the-case-for-using-drones-for-

firefighting/
21