VIDEO: The Oklahoma City Fire Department is now using drones to provide faster response times during emergencies, with 20 unmanned drones stationed throughout the city for deployment in situations such as fires, hazardous material calls, wildfires, water rescues, and crashes.
The department shared a video demonstrating the drones’ capabilities, noting that they are remotely operated by fire dispatchers who also handle 911 calls. During a recent fire, crews utilized a drone to assess the situation.
“Crews launched a drone and saw heavy smoke involvement and deployed a truck,” said Capt. John Chenoweth. The department stated that this initiative is part of their ongoing efforts to enhance safety in the metro area.