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Fire department drone will be transferred to police for training as licensing and gear are finalized
Summary
Chief Heckroth said the department’s drone is operational and will be handed to the Police Department for training; the manufacturer replaced a damaged drone under insurance and the department is awaiting a spotlight and drop-hooks. No policy action was taken.
At the April 30 Committee of the Whole meeting, Chief Heckroth reported that the fire department’s drone is functioning and will be transferred to the Police Department to begin training. The department recently received a replacement drone from the manufacturer under an insurance claim after the prior unit struck a tree and damaged a propeller.
Chief Heckroth said the drone awaits installation of a spotlight and drop hooks before full operational use. He explained that not every operator must hold a pilot license as long as at least one licensed operator is present during operations; he is also checking into obtaining a departmental license. Firefighter fundraising was noted, and the department’s annual golf outing is scheduled for June 20.
Councilor John Riley cautioned councilors against micromanaging operational details and said questions about department operations should be routed through the City Manager. The committee took no formal action on drone policy or licensing at the meeting.
