New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“Earlier this spring, members of the New Bedford, Fall River, and Somerset Fire Departments attended a sixteen hour training program for the use of drones for public safety and preparation for the FAA Part 107 Remote Airman Certification.
There are currently five members of the NBFD who have obtained this certification along with NFPA 2400 Drones for Public Safety training program. The Department recently used federal funding to procure three drones for public safety use. These missions include but are not limited to structural damage assessment, fire cause and origin, search and rescue on land or sea, hazardous materials incidents, and assisting with the placement of hose lines and master streams at large fires when vision is obscured by large volumes of smoke.
With the assistance Of Firefighter/Paramedic Kory Koster of 329 Marketing and FF Travis Rebello, the NBFD is not only able to utilize drones on scene, but to also live stream the drone footage directly to the communications/dispatch center which enables the dispatchers to view the scene in real time. The footage is viewed on a 24” smart TV and then sent via WIFI or via a WIFI hotspot to the dispatch center. The system adaptable to be utilized by any agency when needed. This increases the situational awareness of the communications personnel.
The photos in this post depict Marine 38 conducting training in Clarks Cove. The footage can be viewed in a split screen showing a regular view along with thermal imaging. The footage is high definition without any latency. Each drone is supplied with four batteries which allows for continuous flying at longer duration incidents.
We also recognize the City of New Bedford MIS for their assistance.”-New Bedford Fire Department.
All photos by the New Bedord Fire Department:
