Will Be Used To Help Fight 'Stubborn' Fires And Those At Large  Commercial Buildings

The Syracuse, NY Fire Department has launched a drone program that will be used to help fight stubborn fires and those that break out in large commercial buildings.

Syracuse.com reports that Fire Capt. Timothy Gleeson demonstrated the drones at the department last week. The department began looking into using drones last June, and applied for FAA authorization to use the aircraft. The department was approved by the agency earlier this month.

The drone to be used by the department is equipped with a thermal imaging camera that will help firefighters identify hotspots where roofs or other parts of a building might collapse. Gleeson said that they will not be used to find people inside a burning building because the technology is still not up to that task.

Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds said that the program cost nearly $20,000 to establish, but he expects the cost of maintaining the program to be much lower.

The department is training 10 drone operators to fly the aircraft.

(Image from Syracuse.com YouTube video)

FMI: Original report