Firefighting Drones: A Guide to How Fire Departments Uses Drones in Their Work
BY Zacc Dukowitz
6 June 2024A firefighting drone is any drone used by firefighters in their work.
Credit: Skydio
The idea of using drones to support firefighters was first introduced over a decade ago, at the 2011 Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International.
At the time, the concept was novel—and to many in attendance, it seemed kind of out there. Would fire departments really start using flying robots? Could drones actually help them fight fires better?
Fast forward to the present moment and we know the answer is resoundingly YES.
In this guide to firefighting drones we’ll cover what a firefighting drone is, the top models on the market, and common use cases for drones in firefighting.
We’ll also cover some specialized drones developed just for firefighting—but not available for public purchase yet—and what the future looks like for firefighting drones. (Spoiler alert: It looks pretty great).
Here’s a menu in case you want to jump around:
- What Is a Firefighting Drone?
- A Brief History of Drones in Firefighting
- What Kinds of Drones Do Firefighters Use? The Top Firefighting Drones on the Market
- What Are Firefighting Used For? The Top 19 Applications for Drones in Firefighting
- Firefighter Drones: Case Studies and Real-World Examples
- The Future of Drones in Firefighting
What Is a Firefighting Drone?
Today, fire departments all over the world use drones in their work.
Among public safety agencies that use drones, fire departments are consistently the second biggest type of agency that uses them after police departments.
Source: Bard Center for the Study of the Drone 2018 study
Regarding the types of public safety agencies that use drones the most, the data above is representative of the typical breakdown—police lead, and fire departments are solidly second. Which means there are a lot of fire departments using drones these days, and, as adoption continues, there will be even more in the future.
This video provides a succinct overview of how fire departments are using drones:
Are There Drones Made Specifically for Firefighting?
Although there are several preferred drone models for firefighters—more on this in the section below on the top firefighting drones—there aren’t any commercially available drones made just for firefighting.
But there are some, like the FLIR SkyRanger R70 or the Skydio X10, which have become favorites among firefighters.
The Skydio X10 in action | Credit: Skydio
But a drone doesn’t have to be made just for firefighting, or even preferred by firefighters, to be a good firefighting drone.
There are many high-quality commercial drones that can be used effectively by trained firefighters.
And there are several different ways a drone can support firefighting operations, which means that the types of drones that qualify as a firefighting drone vary widely in size and capability, ranging from small quadcopters to rugged, higher-end hexacopters with long flight times and the ability to carry heavy payloads.
Here are some of the things most firefighting drones have in common:
- Advanced sensors and cameras. For high-quality visual, thermal, and other data collection, high-quality sensors are essential for detecting hotspots and assessing fire damage, with a strong emphasis on thermal sensors.
- Communication systems. These enable real-time transmission to provide critical information to incident commanders, and to allow for communication during active firefighting operations.
- Rugged design. Fires are tough on hardware, so it’s important that any drone a firefighter uses can withstand operations in harsh environments, ensuring reliability in extreme temperatures, high winds, and smoky conditions.
Credit: FDNY
We’ll cover all the uses for drones in firefighting in more detail below.
But as an overview, here are some of the primary functions of drones in firefighting:
- Aerial reconnaissance and monitoring. Providing real-time aerial views of fire scenes to assess the situation and monitor fire spread.
- Thermal imaging for hotspot detection. Using thermal cameras to detect hotspots and guide firefighting efforts.
- Search and rescue operations. Locating missing persons or trapped individuals in smoke-filled or otherwise inaccessible areas.
- Fire scene assessment. Documenting fire scenes and damage for investigations and insurance purposes.
- Monitoring hazardous materials. Safely assessing situations involving hazardous materials without exposing firefighters to danger.
Want to Start a Drone Program in Your Fire Department?
Here are some resources to help you get started:
- Applying for a Public COA vs. Part 107 Certification for Police and Fire Departments
- A Drone Pilot’s Guide to Tactical BVLOS (TBVLOS) Waivers for Public Safety Agencies
- Drone as a First Responder: A Guide to DFR Programs and First Responder Drones
- Master List of Drone Laws (Organized by State)
- Drone License: A Step-by-Step Guide to FAA Part 107 Certification for U.S. Commercial Drone Pilots
This article is part of a series on drones in public safety. Here are the other articles in the series:
- What Is a Public Safety Drone?
- Police Drones: A Guide to How Law Enforcement Uses Drones in Its Work
- Search and Rescue Drones: A Guide to How SAR Teams Use Drones in Their Work
- Drone as a First Responder: A Guide to DFR Programs and First Responder Drones
A Brief History of Drones in Firefighting
As we mentioned above, the concept of using drones in firefighting was first presented to the public about 13 years ago, at the 2011 FDIC International conference.
From there, it took some time for the idea to catch on. And the early uses were pretty limited, with fire departments primarily using drones only for aerial photography and videography.
Three years later, a milestone came when the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) became one of the first in the U.S. to start experimenting with drones, testing them for aerial reconnaissance.
In late 2017, it deployed two drones for the first time during the Skirball wildfire, using them to gain crucial real-time data on fire spread to help coordinate firefighting efforts.
Alongside the LAFD, other prominent public safety agencies like the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department began using drones as well.
From there, improvements in drone technology helped spur drone adoption. Soon more and more fire departments were starting to see drones as a regular part of their operations, expanding their use cases to things like:
- Thermal imaging to detect hotspots
- Locating missing persons in smoke-filled or low-visibility environments
- Hazardous material inspections
- Post-fire damage assessments
By 2018, the number of fire departments using drones increased substantially. According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), over 200 fire departments in the U.S. had integrated drones into their operations by the end of 2018.
By 2020, the number of fire departments employing drones had doubled. These drones were being used for a wide range of applications, from monitoring wildfires and conducting search and rescue missions to inspecting critical infrastructure and assessing flood damage.
Today, drones are an integral part of many fire departments’ toolkits. They provide valuable aerial perspectives that enhance situational awareness, improve safety, and increase operational efficiency.
As of 2023, over 500 fire departments across the United States use drones, and this number is expected to grow as technology continues to evolve.
Milestones in the Evolution of Firefighting Use of Drones
Here’s a quick rundown of the evolution of drones in firefighting:
- 2011. The idea of using drones in firefighting is proposed at the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference.
- 2015. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) pioneers the testing of drones for aerial reconnaissance during wildfires.
- 2017. LAFD uses drones in the Skirball wildfire for the first time and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department uses drones for hazardous material inspections and post-fire assessments. Technological advancements lead to wider adoption.
- 2018. Over 200 fire departments in the U.S. integrate drones into their operations, leveraging thermal imaging and extended flight times.
- 2019. Non-profit DRONERESPONDERS is founded to connect, train, and educate first responders, emergency managers, and search and rescue specialists using drones.
- 2020. The number of fire departments using drones doubles, with diverse applications including wildfire monitoring and search and rescue.
- 2021. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants the first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver for firefighting, enhancing operational capabilities.
- 2022. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) develops standardized tests for evaluating firefighting drones, improving reliability and performance metrics.
- 2023. Over 500 fire departments across the U.S. use drones, with continued growth expected as technology advances.
- 2024. Fremont, CA launches the first dual police/firefighting Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, marking a new era of integrated emergency response.
What Kinds of Drones Do Firefighters Use? The Top Firefighting Drones on the Market
Fire departments use a range of drones in their work.
Here are the top five firefighting drones on the market, including information on their primary use cases, price range, supply chain details, and key features.
1. Skydio X10
- Price range. $$$
- Top firefighting use cases. Aerial reconnaissance, thermal imaging, search and rescue, night operations.
- Supply chain information. Made in the USA by Skydio, NDAA-compliant.
Top Features & Specs
- Autonomy. Onboard AI—Advanced autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance, even in complex environments and GPS-denied areas.
- Flight time. 45 minutes.
- Transmission range. Up to 7.5 miles with Skydio Connect SL; unlimited range with 5G connectivity.
- Payload capacity. Supports multiple payloads, including high-resolution cameras and thermal sensors. Specific payloads like the VT300-Z offer extensive zoom capabilities, while the VT300-L provides a wider field of view with a 1-inch sensor.
- Durability: IP54 rating, designed to operate in harsh weather conditions.
- Advanced features. NightSense for autonomous flight in zero-light environments using visible and infrared illumination; Dynamic channel switching for reliable communication in crowded or electronically contested environments.
2. FLIR SIRAS
- Price range. $$
- Top firefighting use cases. Thermal imaging, aerial reconnaissance, search and rescue, hazardous material inspections.
- Supply chain information. Made by Teledyne FLIR, with manufacturing in Taiwan and final payload integration and quality control completed in the U.S., making it NDAA-compliant.
Top Features
- Flight time. 31 minutes.
- Transmission. Dual-band 2.4/5.8 GHz, ensuring robust connectivity.
- Payload capacity. Interchangeable payload system with a dual camera that includes a 640×512 radiometric FLIR Boson thermal sensor and a 16MP visible camera with 128x zoom.
- Durability. IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, capable of operating in temperatures ranging from 10°F to 104°F and withstanding winds up to 22.4 mph.
- Advanced features. No geofencing restrictions, hot-swappable batteries for continuous operation, radar-based front collision avoidance, and onboard microSD card storage for secure data management without cloud dependency.
3. FLIR SkyRanger R70
- Price range. $$$
- Top firefighting use cases. High-resolution aerial imaging, thermal imaging, hazardous material monitoring.
- Supply chain information. Made in the USA, NDAA-compliant.
Top Features
- Flight time. 50 minutes.
- Transmission range. 5 miles (8 km).
- Payload capacity. Supports multiple payloads including high-resolution cameras and chemical sensors.
- Durability. Rugged design, capable of operating in extreme conditions.
- Advanced capabilities. Real-time thermal imaging and high-definition video streaming.
4. DJI Matrice 350 RTK
- Price range. $$$
- Top firefighting use cases. Aerial reconnaissance, thermal imaging, search and rescue, infrastructure inspections.
- Supply chain information. Made in China by DJI, not NDAA-compliant.
Top Features
- Flight time. 55 minutes.
- Transmission range. Up to 9.3 miles (15 km.)
- Payload capacity. Up to 2.7 kg, supports multiple payloads including thermal and visual cameras.
- Durability: IP55 rating, designed to operate in harsh weather conditions with wind resistance up to 39 f/s (12 m/s).
- Advanced features. Compatible with advanced payloads such as the DJI Zenmuse H20T (thermal and visual camera), spotlight, and loudspeaker.
5. Parrot ANAFI Thermal
- Price range. $$
- Top firefighting use cases. Thermal imaging, damage assessment, search and rescue.
- Supply chain information. Made in France and the USA, NDAA-compliant.
Top Features
- Flight time. 26 minutes.
- Camera system. Dual camera with 320×256 thermal resolution and 4K HDR visual resolution.
- Portability. Lightweight and foldable, easy to deploy.
- Durability. Operates in various weather conditions.
- Special features. Thermal imaging capabilities for detecting heat signatures.
What Are Firefighting Drones Used For? The Top 19 Applications for Drones in Firefighting
Now that we’ve covered the top firefighting drones on the market, let’s look at the specific use cases for drones in firefighting.
Below are 19 of the most common ways that firefighters are using drones in the field.
1. Aerial Reconnaissance and Monitoring
Drones provide real-time aerial views of fire scenes, helping incident commanders assess the situation, monitor fire spread, and make informed strategic decisions.
2. Thermal Imaging for Hotspot Detection
Equipped with thermal cameras, drones can detect hotspots in burning structures or wildfires, allowing firefighters to target specific areas, prevent rekindling, and make safety assessments.
3. Search and Rescue Operations
Drones can assist in locating missing persons or trapped individuals in smoke-filled or otherwise inaccessible areas, providing crucial information for rescue operations.
4. Fire Scene Assessment
Drones capture detailed aerial images and videos of fire scenes, helping to document damage and gather evidence for investigations and insurance purposes.
5. Monitoring Hazardous Materials
In incidents involving hazardous materials, drones can safely assess the situation from a distance, identifying chemical spills or leaks without exposing firefighters to danger.
6. Wildfire Management
Drones monitor wildfire progression, map affected areas, and provide real-time data to support firefighting efforts and evacuation planning.
7. Building Inspection and Damage Assessment
After a fire, drones inspect buildings for structural damage, helping determine the safety of the structures and guiding decisions on repairs or demolitions.
8. Search and Recovery in Natural Disasters
In the aftermath of natural disasters like tornadoes, earthquakes, or floods, drones can help first responders search for survivors and assessing the extent of damage, aiding in efficient recovery efforts.
9. Flood Monitoring and Response
In flood scenarios, drones monitor water levels, assess damage, and assist in coordinating rescue efforts, ensuring timely and efficient responses.
10. Delivering Emergency Supplies
Drones can deliver emergency supplies, such as water, medical kits, or fire suppressants, to firefighters in hard-to-reach locations or during critical situations.
11. Training and Simulation
Drones are used in training exercises to simulate real-life scenarios, providing firefighters with valuable experience in managing aerial resources and assessing fire behavior.
12. Assessing Vegetation and Fuel Load
In wildfire-prone areas, drones assess vegetation and fuel loads, helping to plan controlled burns and other preventative measures to reduce fire risk.
13. Post-Incident Analysis and Reporting
After a fire has been extinguished, drones can be used to conduct thorough post-incident analysis and reporting. High-resolution drone cameras and thermal sensors can document the extent of the damage, identify potential structural weaknesses, and provide data for after-action reviews.
14. Structural Firefighting Support
Drones provide aerial support during structural firefighting, offering perspectives that ground crews cannot see and aiding in the deployment of resources more effectively.
15. Water and Fire Retardant Delivery
Firefighting drones equipped with water or fire retardant delivery systems can provide targeted suppression of small fires or hotspots. This application is particularly useful in areas that are difficult to access by ground crews or aerial firefighting planes.
A drone made by Latvian-based Aerones shoots water on a fire
16. Search for Ignition Sources
Drones can help investigators identify potential ignition sources or causes of fires, contributing to more accurate and thorough fire investigations.
17. Smoke Plume Tracking
Drones track smoke plumes from fires, helping to understand their spread and impact on air quality, which is vital for issuing public health advisories.
18. Public Information and Safety Announcements
Drones equipped with loudspeakers can broadcast emergency messages and evacuation orders to residents during wildfires or large-scale fire incidents, enhancing communication and safety.
The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise can be equipped with a loudspeaker for PSAs (Public Safety Announcements)
19. Community Engagement and Education
Fire departments can use drones to create educational content and conduct community engagement activities. Aerial footage of fire drills, safety demonstrations, and fire prevention campaigns can be shared with the public to raise awareness and educate the community about fire safety practices.
FirefighterDrones: Case Studies and Real-World Examples
Now that we’ve covered of use cases, let’s dive deeper and look at some real-world examples of how fire departments are actually using drones in their work.
Los Angeles Fire Department—Los Angeles, CA
Credit: LAFD
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has been a pioneer in using drones for firefighting and emergency response since it first started testing them back in 2017.
The LAFD uses drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras to monitor wildfires, assess structural damage, and conduct search and rescue operations. During the Woolsey Fire in 2018, drones provided firefighters with real-time aerial views, helping to track fire progression and identify hotspots that weren’t visible from the ground.
Learn more about the LAFD’s drone program:
New York City Fire Department (FDNY)—New York City, NY
The FDNY uses drones to enhance situational awareness during major fire incidents.
In 2017, the FDNY used drones to monitor a large warehouse fire in Brooklyn, providing critical information that helped incident commanders make better-informed decisions about resource deployment and evacuation routes. The drones’ live feed helped with real-time assessment of the fire’s spread and helped make firefighting efforts more effective.
Learn more about the FDNY’s drone program:
Menlo Park Fire Protection District—Menlo Park, CA
Credit: MPFPD
The Menlo Park Fire Protection District has integrated drones into various aspects of their operations, including wildfire monitoring, hazardous material incidents, and training exercises.
In one notable instance, drones were used to survey a large chemical spill, providing detailed aerial imagery that helped the hazmat team plan their response without exposing themselves to dangerous conditions.
Learn more about the MPFPD’s drone program:
Austin Fire Department—Austin, TX
Credit: AFD
The Austin Fire Department uses drones to enhance their firefighting capabilities and improve safety.
During extensive flooding in 2018, the AFD deployed drones to assess the extent of the flooding, locate stranded individuals, and guide rescue boats. The aerial footage provided by their drones enabled a quicker and more efficient response from first responders, helping save lives, reduce property damage, and maximize the impact of limited resources.
Learn more about the AFD’s drone program:
Spokane Fire Department—Spokane, WA
Credit: SFD
The Spokane Fire Department has effectively used drones for pre-incident planning and real-time situational awareness during fires for years now.
In a recent fire at a large commercial building, drones were deployed to provide an overhead view of the structure, helping firefighters identify the safest entry points and monitor the fire’s spread. This use of drones significantly improved the safety and efficiency of the firefighting efforts.
Learn more about the SFD’s drone program:
The Future of Drones in Firefighting
Here are two key trends to look out for on the bleeding edge of how drones are supporting fire fighting operations—and where firefighting operations with drones may be headed in the near future.
1. Drone as First Responder (DFR) Programs
Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs have primarily been associated with law enforcement. But lately they’ve been making significant inroads into firefighting.
One notable example is the dual police/firefighting DFR program in Fremont, CA. This program, the first of its kind in the U.S., was launched following a successful pilot phase from November 2022 to January 2023.
Credit: Fremont Fire Department
In Fremont, drones are deployed from strategic locations to respond to the location of 911 calls related to both law enforcement and fire emergencies. The Fremont dual DFR program has helped both departments make big improvements in response times and situational awareness, enhancing the safety of first responders and the public.
And the future of DFR programs in firefighting looks promising. As more fire departments recognize the benefits of rapid drone deployment, we can expect wider adoption of these programs.
2. New Drone Technology for Firefighting
Innovative drone technology is continually emerging, enhancing the capabilities of firefighting operations and providing specific solutions for specific use cases in firefighting.
Here are some notable breakthroughs on the firefighting drone front:
1. Autonomous Wildfire Drone Can Fly through Smoke to Map Fire Operations
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a drone capable of flying through smoke to create real-time maps of wildfires.
These drones can operate in environments where visibility is severely limited, providing critical data to firefighters on the ground.
Read more about the wildfire drone.
2. SAP Firefighting Drone Shoots Water at Fires
Credit: ADAI/University of Coimbra
A drone developed in Portugal is designed to shoot water at fires.
This drone can directly engage in firefighting by targeting specific hotspots, making it a valuable tool for combating wildfires and other fire emergencies.
Read more about the SAP drone.
3. Drone Swarms for Wildfires
Credit: Danielle Rossi
Researchers have been investigating the use of drone swarms for firefighting, especially in wildfire scenarios, and the results look promising.
These swarms can cover large areas quickly, providing comprehensive aerial surveillance and coordinated responses to fire incidents. While still in the experimental stage, the potential for drone swarms to revolutionize firefighting operations is significant.
Read more about drone swarms for fighting wildfires.
Want to learn more about how public safety agencies are using drones? Check out our in-depth guide, What Is a Public Safety Drone?
