MFD DRT- YourEye in the Sky

Submitted by Ex-Chief Robert Connolly

The Fire Service has evolved considerably in the last 30 years. From hip boots to bunker pants, from the “heat gun” to Thermal Imaging Cameras and even Bailout systems. Embracing new technology and incorporating it into our response has helped today’s firefighters become better prepared to battle the more intense modern fires we are encountering.

In 2020 a group of Mineola firefighters came together with an idea to bring the emerging small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS), commonly referred to as drones, into the first line response for the fire service. The drone could be rapidly deployed at a fire scene to provide an incident commander with an overhead 360-degree view of the fire building. It also offered thermal imaging to provide hot spot detection. Initially, this small group of licensed pilots responded in their personal vehicles using their own equipment and offered the incident commander the opportunity to get a comprehensive look at their fire. This unique perspective allowed the IC to see where the fire was burning, where the water was going and what areas still needed to be addressed.

From this progressive group came the inception of the Mineola Fire Department Drone Response Team (MFD-DRT).

Department members studied for several months preparing for the rigorous Part 107 Remote Pilot exam. This was followed by regular drills on sUAS operations to develop proficiency with the Departments Mavic 2 Enterprise Drone. Today the team is composed of 20 remote pilots who have all achieved FAA Part 107 licenses.

The team has responded to multiple working fires throughout the county including several building fires in Westbury. At one such alarm the drone was able to provide the chief with a live view of master stream operations at a large warehouse fire. Upon completion of this deployment Westbury Chief Ken Gass commented, “I highly recommend calling them if you have a large scale incident.” But it’s not just for fires. The drone has also been requested for large area searches for missing persons. The team worked a search detail at Jones Beach and multiple assignments at Belmont Lake State Park. MFD DRThas also provided aerial footage at an Active Shooter-EMS Staging Drill hosted by New Hyde Park FD. The drone has also been instrumental in preplanning locations in Mineola.

Recognizing the proven value of this specialized team, the Mineola Fire Department recently made an investment in the support of the team’s mission. The department repurposed a chiefs car to act as the Drone Response Team Vehicle and upgraded the sUAS equipment. The Mineola Drone Unit is proud to announce that they are now fully operational with the DJI M30T. The MFD is the first agency on Long Island to operate The DJI Matrice 30TEnterprise. The M30Tis the DJI Enterprise flagship,a weatherproof drone designed with the fire service in mind. It integrates multiple high-performance sensors into one single camera payload, is controlled with the DJI RC Plus Remote and runs on upgraded DJI Pilot 2 software. The powerful M30Toffers the endurance and capability necessary for providing the IC with better situational awareness. The M30 can even operate with one of its dual batteries failing, and can make an emergency landing with only three propellers. Additionally, its size makes it ideal for easy transportation and fast setup. The UAS also includes a thermal imaging camera with cutting edge resolution and accuracy. The aircraft also provides a laser rangefinder which can give the precise coordinates of objects up to 4000-feet away. All of this technology is available at the flight controller, as well as to the IC through a tablet. In fact, there is even the capability of remote on-line viewing through a controlled hyperlink. You can watch the big one on-line while you’re stuck at work.

As they approach two years in operation, the MFD-DRT’s original Part 107 Pilots have already begun the process of maintaining currency of their UAS Airman Certification with the FAA. The team has been added to mutual aid procedures in multiple departments across the county and looks forward to incorporating a new class of pilots in the spring of 2023. For more information and on-scene video from recent responses please check out Mineola Fire Drone Response Team on Facebook. To request more information about the MFD-DRT contact the Mineola Fire Department at info@mineolafd.com.

- Fire News photos by Robert Connolly