PERRYSBURG, Ohio — The Perrysburg Township Fire and EMS team is working to introduce a new tool to improve their efficiency during rescue operations – drones.
Perrysburg Township Fire Captain Tom Brice says the department purchased their new drone fleet two years ago, but getting the program up and running takes time.
Training responders to use the new equipment is one of the first hurdles the department has had to overcome.
Drone pilots must pass the FAA’s Part 107 exam in order to be certified to fly the small unmanned aircraft.
Firefighter and paramedic Mike Thompson says the drones have re-written what's possible for the department.
He says drones can be used for everything from search and rescue operations, to hot-spot searching using a thermal camera, and can even assist in water rescues by dropping lifejackets.
Still training is a work in progress.
"Hopefully you know, we can get proficient to where in an emergency situation, we can get it up and get it going and deploy it before the boat gets in the water and the boat gets to the person," said Thompson.
Deputy Fire Chief James Rodriguez, says staffing is another reality that keeps this program grounded for now.
He hopes the drones can have dedicated pilots in the future, but they aren’t quite there yet.
"Ultimately the end goal was to make this something available twenty-four-seven, three-six-five," said Chief Rodriguez.
Chief Rodriguez has high hopes for the program and how it can help first responders save precious time in rescue operations.
"Public safety is number one. I mean- to be able to search and find someone a lot faster with that aerial image is huge," said Rodriguez. "To be able to have that tool in the box and be able to do that is just a plus. And it's a win for the township and win for the community."
The department is partnering with Tiffin University and Bruce Chambers, who goes by 'the Dronefather', a professor at the university who specializes in drone piloting.
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