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MFRS ’ NEW DRONES TO OFFER SUPPORT AT EMERGENCY INCIDENTS AS PART OF INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service launched their capability to deploy not one , but two operational Drones to live incidents , under a myriad of conditions and rescue scenarios as part of their Integrated Risk Management Plan 2021-24 .
The introduction of operational Drones as a deployable asset to an ongoing incident forms just one part of MFRS ’ forward thinking and bold Integrated Risk Management Plan 2021-24 , to develop a balanced approach to reducing risk within the community .
The drones bring additional support to crews at incidents by providing aerial imagery , thermal imagery , additional lighting , video recording , communications , and the ability to search wide areas and read hazard labels from a distance .
Group Manager Phil Byrne said , “ From arriving on scene , the pilot can have the drone in the air within 5 minutes .
“ Detachable payloads include a spotlight camera and a loud speaker which can provide instructions to people who may be trapped or give instructions to residents who may be on balconies or in other inaccessible areas to evacuate .
“ The technology also has the benefit of Thermal Imagery , so we can switch the camera from its normal vision to Thermal Imagery , where you can see hot or cold targets .
“ So if you ’ ve got people missing , people in the water , or thermal radiation from a fire , it can pick that up .” in the sky has the potential to gather unparalleled intelligence and situational awareness at ongoing incidents , in real time , that could save lives .
On request , Fire Control will mobilise a UAS ( unmanned aircraft systems ) Remote Drone Pilot ( s ) with the Drone asset readied for deployment .
The Drone can support operations across a variety of incident types by providing extensive aerial imagery to enhance situational awareness , thermal imagery , lighting and communications broadcast .
GM Byrne continued , “ The eye in the sky gives any Incident Commander a much-improved situational awareness , so not only would they be able to see the fire or the incident they are dealing with but much further afield , including premises that the incident may be affecting and any road networks .
“ We could stream that footage further afield to other Commanders or other agencies who may need to see that footage who aren ’ t necessarily at scene but could have an important part to play in resolving that incident .”
By utilising state of the state-of-the art technology to provide unrivalled on the spot insight to an Incident Commander at scene , Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is at the forefront of innovative firefighting practices to ensure that MFRS keep the communities across Merseyside safe .
Piloted by a member of the Service ' s designated drone team possessing industry standard qualifications , this innovative eye
20 merseylife . com