Emlenton Volunteer Fire Department’s Drone Team

In a day-and-age where advances in technology are often blamed for many of society’s ills, the members of the Emlenton Volunteer Fire Department have found a new way to use technology to help people in need. The Emlenton Fire Department UAS/Drone Team is a new team within the Emlenton Fire Department that has existed for a little over a year now. The team has seven members, six of whom are certified by the FAA to legally operate the department’s drone. 

The Emlenton Volunteer Fire Department’s drone on its landing pad.

UAS stands for Unmanned Aerial Systems which is a technical term that simply refers to a drone and its components. The department’s drone is a DJI M2E equipped with visual and thermal imaging camera systems, a spot light, and on-board loud speaker.

“From the beginning, we agreed that we wanted to do this ‘the right way,’” said Fire Chief, Trevor Hile. “We didn’t want to just be some people with a drone. We wanted to obtain the proper certifications and acquire the knowledge to use the drone effectively.”

In order to legally operate the department’s drone, members needed to prepare for and pass an exam required by the Federal Aviation Administration under rule 14 CFR Part 107. The exam included extensive knowledge of FAA regulation, airspace and airspace rules, weather, aeronautical decision-making, drone operations, and more. The department contracted with AERAS, a Butler County based drone company, to help ensure members were sufficiently prepared for the FAA Part 107 exam and to provide technical assistance. 

Emlenton VFD Asst. Chief Codey Sherman, and Asst. Chief Chris Prosser, operating the drone during a search incident.

In addition to nearly 100 hours of training and preparation for the FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Exam, members of the team have also taken numerous trainings on missing person behavior, search incident management, and SAR Drone Operations. 

In addition to the pilot (referred to as the remote pilot in command or RPIC), there are a couple other important jobs on a UAS team. Data technicians are thr one or two individuals who are monitoring the data feed being transmitted from the drone to a large monitor. Data technicians are responsible for continual monitoring of drone data as well as documenting and coordinating information with incident commanders or search managers. In addition, the drone team may also have ground team members. Members of the ground team are responsible for obtaining a power source, rotating and charging drone batteries, visual observation of the drone, lighting, radio communications, management of safe take-off and landing areas, and more. 

“We have some very skilled guys serving on this team,” added Chief Hile. “All team members have experience operating their own recreational drones, which is a big advantage for us. Also serving on the team is Firefighter Josh Elliott, who is a military and commercial helicopter pilot. He brings knowledge on the aeronautical side that is helpful to us. We also have Assistant Chief Chris Prosser, who works locally as an IT Specialist. His knowledge and background in IT have been invaluable to the fire department and specifically to this team.”

In addition to Chris and Josh, other fire personnel that serve on the team are: Chief Trevor Hile, Assistant Chief Codey Sherman, Captain Tyler Henery, Captain Gabe Stalker, and Captain Andy Hovis. The department is currently in the process of applying for a Certificate of Authorization (COA) through the FAA which would allow them to develop an in-house training program to train more of its firefighters to be drone pilots. 

In little over a year’s time since the team has been operating, they have been requested to incidents in Venango, Armstrong, Clarion, Jefferson, Forest, Mercer, Butler, and Beaver Counties. “We are building positive working relationships with a lot of other fire and police departments as well as SAR (Search and Rescue) agencies.”

A stock photo of the DJI M2E drone in flight.

One special working relationship the team has formed is with the Rocky Grove Fire Department K9 SAR Team. ”They are a great group of canines, handlers, and search managers. They are certified and trained and we really enjoy working with one another.” Rocky Grove K9 SAR currently has two certified trailing canines, three certified airscent (live find) canines, two certified human remains with several more currently in training. Rocky Grove and Emlenton fire departments signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this year which outlines that the K9 SAR and drone teams will work cooperatively for training and response purposes. Venango County EMA also partners closely with both teams to help provide logistics, resources, and support.

In addition to search calls, the drone team has also assisted for incident “overwatch” at industrial fires, wildland fires, and large events. Having ‘eyes in the sky’ has offered a unique advantage which can help decision-makers in a variety of situations. The on-board thermal imaging camera has been especially helpful at picking up hot spots at fires.

“We are hopeful to continue growing our team and its capabilities. We’d eventually like to add a couple mission-specific drones,” continued Chief Hile. 

Anyone wishing to learn more about the drone team can call the fire department at (724) 867-2321. The team is happy to give informational presentations on the team for other emergency organizations and the public.