The Gadsden Fire Department had the opportunity today to put a new tool in their arsenal to use.
A fire was sparked on the old Highway 411 in the North Part of Gadsden, by a trailer that was being pulled by a truck. Metal from the trailer began sparking and started the fire. To assist in the job, responding firefighters sent up their drone for the first time operationally.
Lecil Harrelson Posted on the Departments Facebook page:
“The Gadsden Fire Department deployed their drones for the first time today while battling a wildfire, providing crucial aerial support to firefighters on the ground. The drones helped assess the fire’s spread, identify hotspots, and improve overall response efforts. Officials praised the technology for enhancing situational awareness and aiding in containment strategies. This successful first use marks a significant step forward in the department’s firefighting capabilities. #Bshift 2/28/25″
We reached out to get more information regarding the drone and its capabilities. The department has two different drones, one is a more basic version, used for training purposes. The, second pictured here, has more bells and whistles that can aid the department in many different ways. It is equipped with FLIR Thermal imaging, which can be used in many different applications for firefighting operations. The drone will be valuable not only in fire situations, but search and rescue, hazmat situations, large fires, water rescues, and such. They can be used for arial reconnaissance, helping incident commanders asses scenes, detect hot spots, make safety assessments, building inspections, natural disasters, flood monitoring, post incident analysis, searching for ignition sources, promotional materials and more!
It is a tool that can allow firefighters to do their job much more efficiently and safely. While the technology is new to Gadsden firefighters, the idea of using it in firefighting goes back to the 2011 Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International. The Los Angeles Fire Department was on of the first departments to regularly introduce them as a daily tool.
The drone sends a signal back to the Special Operations Truck, which has monitors that can be used to see real time footage and information from the drone.
From there, firefighters can gather crucial information to assist in their operations.
The department opened training up to firefighters who wished to learn how, and wanted to get licensed to operate it. They have several firefighters that have completed the training, as well as several more who are in the process now. The training can be completed in house, online, so the firefighters do not have to take time away from the job to effectively learn how to correctly use device.
It is fairly small, and portable in a protective case, so that it can be transported to areas where it is needed, and deployed quickly.
In order to fly the drone, the firefighters must complete and pass certification under the Federal Aviation Administrations Small UAS Rule Part 107. Earning the certificate demonstrates understanding of the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures to safely operate the drone.
Those that acquire the license will have to take a refresher course every 24 calendar months to maintain aeronautical knowledge recency.
Several other departments have adopted the use of drones in their operations, such as Ball Play Bend, and Coats Bend is expecting to have a new one this weekend.
Gadsden Fire is now under the command of newly hired fire chief Vance Brown, who was named by the Gadsden Civil Servants Board in December of last year. Mayor Craig Ford Said of Brown upon his hiring
“This is a critical position for the City, and I know Chief Brown will do a wonderful job leading the fire department,” said Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford. “I want to thank the Civil Service Board for their diligence in interviewing and selecting our new chief, as well as all the candidates who stepped up and applied for this job. I also want to thank Interim Fire Chief Derrick Sherrell for his leadership during this transition and all the firefighters for their continued hard work and service to our citizens.”
Brown is a 23-year veteran of the Gadsden Fire Department, having served as a firefighter, driver and most recently as commander.
“This is an amazing opportunity, and I’m honored and humbled to be able to serve the city and lead such a great department,” Brown said of his hiring.
We at WEIS appreciate all of our local fire departments, and the incredibly difficult and dangerous job they do to provide such a vital and valuable service to our communities across our listening area.
It has been a very busy and tiring week for many of those departments, as people get out in the warmer weather, and begin to clear brush, sparking wildfires. As of earlier today, there had been over 300 wildfires that were reported to the Alabama Forestry Commission. That does not include structure fires, medical calls, car crashes, and the other various calls these brave men and women answer every day.
