Syracuse Fire Department conducts training for its drone team

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Fire Department (SFD) has added drones to the equipment it uses in emergency situations.

The department on June 8 demonstrated how it uses drones in an event held at the Syracuse Fire Department Regional Training Facility at 312 State Fair Boulevard in Syracuse.

“This new piece of equipment will be utilized at emergency scenes and for preplanning purposes, among other activities,” Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds told reporters ahead of the demonstration.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on June 1 awarded the department a certificate of authorization to use drones, or what are also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). 

“With the City of Syracuse receiving a jurisdictional certificate of authorization from the FAA, we can now utilize our drone in the city’s airspace,” said Monds.

The FAA considers drones to be aircraft, Syracuse Fire Department Captain Timothy Gleeson told reporters. 

“They’re registered with the FAA, and we fly them in accordance with FAA rules,” said Gleeson. 

The department has started using two drone systems. The drone demonstration came on the same day that the department completed a week-long training session for its UAS team, according to Gleeson. 

The UAS team includes a representative from the Syracuse Police Department and the City of Syracuse Water Department, he noted.

The fire department spent close to $20,000 for its drone program, according to Monds. 

How drones help

The technology will give the fire department what Gleeson called a “new perspective” as it responds to fires and emergencies.

“These platforms will have photo and video capability and we’ll also be showing you today a platform that has thermal imaging. The benefit to the community … this technology certainly has the ability to save lives,” the SFD captain added.

As Gleeson explained, the systems provide on-scene commanders with “enhanced information,” which will “improve safety” on emergency scenes and provide the department with “real time” air-to- ground video and thermal imaging for firefighting, search and rescue missions, and “enhanced situational awareness, and most importantly operational safety.” 

“It puts eyes in locations that we haven’t been able to previously without risking injury or harm to our personnel,” said Gleeson.

The Syracuse Fire Department has been working for about a year to determine the feasibility of the integration of drones into the department’s operations. The effort included developing “safe” concepts of operations, along with policy and procedure.

Department leaders participated in a 40-hour training course provided by In Sky Aerial Services, an organization that’s located in New York’s Capital Region, according to its website. The firm includes public-safety professionals who have “real world,” UAS experience, said Gleeson

They taught the Syracuse Fire Department UAS team the “best ways” to ensure that it’s using the systems to provide service for the fire department “while protecting the public.”

“As firemen, we needed to receive that training to be in the airspace appropriately, so we attended a 40-hour training course. The training course that’s been there this week for our team operators is a 32-hour course built off of that same training program,” said Gleeson.

He called the training “pretty intense,” noting that they’re trained in fighting fires and responding to emergencies.

“This was really learning a brand new field and learning aviation,” he added.

Partners in the UAS operation include the National Council on Public Safety UAS; Syracuse–based NUAIR Alliance; Syracuse City School District; and, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, according to the office of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Fire Department (SFD) has added drones to the equipment it uses in emergency situations.

The department on June 8 demonstrated how it uses drones in an event held at the Syracuse Fire Department Regional Training Facility at 312 State Fair Boulevard in Syracuse.

“This new piece of equipment will be utilized at emergency scenes and for preplanning purposes, among other activities,” Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds told reporters ahead of the demonstration.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on June 1 awarded the department a certificate of authorization to use drones, or what are also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). 

“With the City of Syracuse receiving a jurisdictional certificate of authorization from the FAA, we can now utilize our drone in the city’s airspace,” said Monds.

The FAA considers drones to be aircraft, Syracuse Fire Department Captain Timothy Gleeson told reporters. 

“They’re registered with the FAA, and we fly them in accordance with FAA rules,” said Gleeson. 

The department has started using two drone systems. The drone demonstration came on the same day that the department completed a week-long training session for its UAS team, according to Gleeson. 

The UAS team includes a representative from the Syracuse Police Department and the City of Syracuse Water Department, he noted.

The fire department spent close to $20,000 for its drone program, according to Monds. 

How drones help

The technology will give the fire department what Gleeson called a “new perspective” as it responds to fires and emergencies.

“These platforms will have photo and video capability and we’ll also be showing you today a platform that has thermal imaging. The benefit to the community … this technology certainly has the ability to save lives,” the SFD captain added.

As Gleeson explained, the systems provide on-scene commanders with “enhanced information,” which will “improve safety” on emergency scenes and provide the department with “real time” air-to- ground video and thermal imaging for firefighting, search and rescue missions, and “enhanced situational awareness, and most importantly operational safety.” 

“It puts eyes in locations that we haven’t been able to previously without risking injury or harm to our personnel,” said Gleeson.

The Syracuse Fire Department has been working for about a year to determine the feasibility of the integration of drones into the department’s operations. The effort included developing “safe” concepts of operations, along with policy and procedure.

Department leaders participated in a 40-hour training course provided by In Sky Aerial Services, an organization that’s located in New York’s Capital Region, according to its website. The firm includes public-safety professionals who have “real world,” UAS experience, said Gleeson

They taught the Syracuse Fire Department UAS team the “best ways” to ensure that it’s using the systems to provide service for the fire department “while protecting the public.”

“As firemen, we needed to receive that training to be in the airspace appropriately, so we attended a 40-hour training course. The training course that’s been there this week for our team operators is a 32-hour course built off of that same training program,” said Gleeson.

He called the training “pretty intense,” noting that they’re trained in fighting fires and responding to emergencies.

“This was really learning a brand new field and learning aviation,” he added.

Partners in the UAS operation include the National Council on Public Safety UAS; Syracuse–based NUAIR Alliance; Syracuse City School District; and, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, according to the office of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh.