Dungannon Pro Rodeo donation purchases new drone for Lucknow Fire Department

BY SCOTT STEPHENSON

The Dungannon Pro Rodeo (DPR) may be a celebration of traditional western arts, but its recent donation to the Lucknow and District Fire Department (LDFD) went towards a decidedly high-tech piece of equipment - a state-of-the-art search-and-rescue drone.

 

The drone is valued at approximately $48,000, along with an additional $5,000 in training costs. The funds were raised through the Lucknow Firefighters’ Association’s (LFA) sponsorship program. The drone initiative reached its goal in just over a year, with the DPR playing a significant role in that success. Last week, DPR organizers Susanne Pentland and Leanne Drennan visited the LDFD to present a donation cheque in the amount of $9,150 - a sizeable bite out of the cost of the department’s newest lifesaving device.  

 

Fire Chief Jeff Bradley, who also volunteers at the rodeo, emphasized the importance of the new equipment for the department’s emergency operations. “It should be pretty valuable for our search and rescue operations,” he said.

 

And this is no ordinary household drone! Far from a recreational device, the drone is a highly specialized tool that requires two certified operators. Equipped with advanced safety and navigation features, the drone is designed to operate in challenging environments. It includes a top-mounted radar system to assist with obstacle detection, as well as multiple cameras - three on the front and two on the back - that help it avoid buildings, trees and hydro lines. “The drone is very techy,” Bradley noted. “The ones you see people flying around their homes, they fly them into trees, buildings - all kinds of stuff. For us to hit something is very unlikely. It gives you a lot of warnings.”

 

In addition to its navigation systems, the drone is outfitted with thermal imaging and night vision capabilities, allowing firefighters to locate individuals in low-visibility conditions. An advanced laser system can pinpoint exact locations on land or water, and the unit can also be equipped with an attachment to drop life preservers to individuals in distress. While the drone does record video, the system is encrypted to ensure that footage remains secure.

 

The training process is extensive and challenging, and includes both a lengthy written examination and hands-on testing - all of which was recently completed by all of the LDFD’s future operators. Now that certification is finalized, the drone will be ready for deployment.

 

Currently stationed at the Lucknow fire hall on Campbell Street, the drone is awaiting final certification before entering active service. Once operational, it will be available for deployment throughout Huron-Kinloss and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh. “We hope we don’t need it often,” Bradley said, “but when we do, it’ll make a big difference.”