Sarnia Fire's new inspection tool is taking the department's tech to new heights.
A drone, weighing less than a pound with the capability of flying around 14,000 feet, has been with the service for a few months now.
Chief Fire Prevention Officer Roel Bus said the drone allows for safer and more convenient inspections.
"We acquired the drone as part of a grant issued by the Office of the Fire Marshal to help us with inspections and other related items that might have been difficult during COVID. So, a drone can help us both indoors and outdoors with inspections."
Bus said a lot of HVAC units, which have to be cleaned properly and regularly, are now up on the roofs of buildings and that restaurants have what are called upblast fans.
"And so if [they're not cleaned], then that will show up on the fan on the roof as well. So, generally we had to go up onto the roof on ladders and everything. With this drone, we can go up there, shoot video, take pictures and inspect it that way."
Bus recently completed a weeklong drone training course with Transport Canada, specifically related to fire departments, and is currently the only Sarnia firefighter trained to use the device.
He said hopefully, this is the beginning of a local drone program.
"We'd like to get into infrared cameras and maybe things that can carry payload as well," said Bus. "Another scenario where drones can be used is when dealing with hazardous materials, where you can send in a piece of electronic equipment, rather than a person to read a placard or to assess the situation initially, and then develop a plan from that."
Bus said there are endless applications for a drone, including scene surveys, search and rescues, and other situations where a bird's-eye view is needed.
The cost of the drone was around $800.
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