MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — For the past year, firefighters in Middletown have had another perspective when they head to a scene courtesy of their new “Aerial Support Team”.
The team now has a dozen members who are all certified to fly one of the two high-tech drones the department bought to help them with rescue efforts.
“This is allowing us now to get a bird's eye view of every incident that we respond to that we would never have before,” said Deputy Chief David Albert.
Equipped with a spotlight, a speaker, and thermal imaging technology, Albert noted that the Aerial Support Team comes to most calls.
“One of the first fires that it was deployed at – we questioned if we should put people on the roof or not - to try and vent the fire," Albert said. "The thermal imaging allowed us to see the heat signatures on all the rafters, so command was able to make the decision that it wasn’t worth the risk to put anyone on the roof."
While the Middletown Fire Department is using its drones more and more often, there are hurdles on the horizon. Last month, a Connecticut legislative committee voted for a bill that, if passed, would prohibit local fire and police departments from using Chinese-made drones due to concerns about security risks and spying. However, there would be waivers that towns could seek in the name of public safety.
Among the first departments in the region to use drone technology to this extent, Albert went on to say the Aerial Support Team is another tool in the toolbox.
“It will definitely save lives,” Albert said, “As far as I know, we are the only ones (in Connecticut) operating this way and we want to set that standard and set the bar and, hopefully, other departments follow suit and we can work together and make it better.”
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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