Closeup of DJI Matrice M300. (Photo 244480858 © Marian Gh Moise | Dreamstime.com)

By Jaryn Vecchio

New Purchase

N.B. Fire Department getting drone to help with emergency situations

Sep 12, 2023 | 12:11 PM

The North Battleford Fire Department is getting a drone to help with their operations.

The city’s council met on Monday where they approved the purchase of a DJI Matrice 30T Drone and mapping software for over $26,000.

The money is coming from funds the fire department received in the 2023 budget to help other communities. They were given roughly $95,000 for the year but have only spent around $23,000 to date.

Fire Chief Lindsey Holm told battlefordsNOW his department saw the benefits of drones earlier this year when they helped with the wildfire efforts around the Saulteaux and Moosomin First Nations.

“That drone was able to give us valuable information on where that fire was and, more importantly, where it was going to be moving to.”

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It was able to do this as it had infrared cameras to help detect heat signatures such as hot spots.

This can also help find missing people, something multiple police agencies including the RCMP currently use. Holm explained his department would more likely use the drone during river searches and rescues.

“That’s a large area to cover and depending on the time of day it can be a little bit tricky navigating just with the boat itself,” he said.

Holm also sees the drone being used in other emergency situations like tornadoes and train derailments.

“The thermal imager would allow us to see right through any smoke and allow us to apply water and foam where it was necessary without getting too tight (to smoke) or into an area where our personnel could risk significant injuries,” he added.

While this drone is being purchased by the fire department, different departments in the city will be able to use it. Holm noted it could be used for water tower inspections, surveying the local landfill, and more.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow