Public Safety

East Valley town debuts portable drone to help firefighters

Queen Creek Firefighter Sigifredo Castro demonstrates how the department’s remote piloted unmanned aircraft system operates. Castro spearheaded the development of the new drone system.

Town of Queen Creek

The remote drone-docking system is mounted on a tray that pulls out of a battalion chief vehicle.

Town of Queen Creek

A drone takes off from “Dorothy.”

Town of Queen Creek

The Queen Creek Fire & Medical Department’s drone, dubbed “Dorothy,” provides air surveillance of an incident in order to help firefighters.

Town of Queen Creek

Using drones for public safety isn’t new, but the Queen Creek Fire & Medical Department’s innovative take on the technology could provide help for its firefighters during various incidents.

Drone by first responder programs generally travel from a stationary base to an incident that could be miles away. Queen Creek revamped the traditional deployment system and implemented a mobile base that allows for more efficient use of drones.

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