Menlo Park Fire District Considers Using Firefighting Drone

MENLO PARK (KCBS) — Hoses, ladders, trucks—and unmanned aerial drones?

That's just what one Bay Area fire district is considering adding to its firefighting tools.

If a three-alarm fire breaks out on the peninsula, one of the first responders could be a remote control quadcopter live streaming video of the blaze back to commanders on the ground.

Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman, of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, told KCBS they are considering purchasing a $2,000 drone for exactly that purpose.

"If we have a better understanding what's burning; if we have a better understanding where victims are, then we can use these types of techniques and this technology—that's a plus," he said.

But before that happens, Schapelhouman said they will have to answer all regulatory and legal questions.

"What if it came down and hit someone? What if it hit a woman? What if it hit a power line? So we want to make sure we have different parameters to use and also training for the operators," he said.

The Fire District will seek public feedback at the next Board District meeting on Oct. 21.

Some civil rights groups have objected to the use of drones by police departments, citing concerns of surveillance.