Unmanned Aerial Systems and Fire Department Operations

Overview

This course focuses on the use of unmanned aerial systems (drones) in fire department operations. Drones support firefighting by providing situational awareness for the management of small and large incidents. Uses include pre-incident planning of target hazards, fireground strategy and tactics, management of firefighting operations and resources, fireground safety, accountability, overhaul and fire investigations.

Secondary tasks are also discussed and explored: technical rescue operations (rope rescue, water rescue, confined space, structural collapse), wildfire, search and rescue, and HazMat operations. Fire departments have been slow to adopt this technology, but are now embracing it as a way to protect their personnel and the public they serve.

This is a basic program designed for agencies looking to start a UAS program. Basic flight operations are covered with an emphasis on fire department emergency operations.

What you’ll learn

• Introduction to UAS and fire department operations
• Selection of proper UAS platforms
• Basic UAS flight operations
• Thermal sensors and fireground behavior
• Pre-planning with UAS (mapping)
• Developing initial strategies and tactics with UAS support
• Incident command and UAS
• UAS and the fireground safety officer
• Tactical aircraft and technical rescues
• Hazardous materials response and UAS

Who it’s for

Fire agencies looking to start a UAS program.

Prerequisites

We recommend taking Part 107 Ground School before this course.

What’s included

• Documentation for first responder continuing education credits