Arizona fire department launches drone force to help fight fires

Drone Technology Adoption in Public Safety - Phoenix Fire Department's unmanned aerial systems program is upgraded with new drones, enhancing emergency response capabilities [1] - The department's drones flew 971 missions and logged 146 hours in the air last year [1] - First responders across the country are increasingly adopting drone technology [2] Drone Applications in Emergency Response - Drones are used for structure fires, mountain rescues, lost hiker searches, and mapping [2] - Thermal cameras on drones identify hotspots during fires [2] - Onboard speakers allow communication with victims needing rescue [2] - Smaller drones can be deployed in hazmat areas or unstable buildings [2] - Drones can arrive on scene before officers 88% to 90% of the time in areas like Santa Monica [3] - Drones provide "eyes in the sky" for police, aiding in search and rescue, including missing children cases [4] Efficiency and Speed of Drone Deployment - Drones can be airborne in under a minute, offering rapid response capabilities [5] - Drones offer a faster and more flexible alternative to helicopters for area saturation in search operations [5] Impact on Rescue Operations - Drones quickly locate victims, as demonstrated in a Camelback Mountain heat-related emergency rescue [6] - Drone deployment facilitated the safe rescue of a 63-year-old woman within an hour [6] Future Potential - The future envisions drones delivering aid directly to individuals experiencing medical emergencies [8]