The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) has enhanced its Special Operations fleet with the addition of three new drones capable of streaming footage from hazardous indoor environments.

These drones, tested by the DFS throughout the year and procured this fall, enable personnel to gather real-time information from inside buildings during hazardous material incidents, structural collapses, and other high-risk situations.

“Drones were a giant step forward for situational awareness in the fire service,” said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. “Up until now, we’ve used them primarily to provide aerial footage from outside a structure or above a large wildfire or search area.”

The drones were demonstrated to DFS Hazmat technicians, State Police fire investigators, bomb technicians, and senior leadership at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy before the new program was announced publicly. They were also utilized during the Massachusetts Association of Technical Rescue Specialists’ 2025 Tech Rescue Challenge onboard the USS Massachusetts.

WWLP-TV NBC/CW+ 22 Springfield

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Tacoma Fire crews are investigating a house fire that officials say was intentionally set. The fire was reported before 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the 5000 block of North 29th Street. According to Tacoma Fire, an adult started the fire and the incident is being classified as arson. Everyone inside the home was able to get out safely. Fire crews evaluated three residents who were home at the time of the fire. Officials say none of them required transportation to the hospital and no injuries were reported. Tacoma Police said no one has been arrested at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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VIDEOS: Eleven firefighters are recovering after a home exploded during a firefight Monday evening in Salisbury. Chief Bob Parnell told Queen City News he’s relieved none of their injuries were life-threatening.

Around 4:56 p.m., the Salisbury Fire Department was dispatched to the 1100 block of Laurel Street in reference to a structure fire. When crews arrived four minutes later, they noticed heavy fire throughout the rear of the single-family home.

As fire personnel worked to extinguish the flames, there was an explosion inside the home, causing the roof to collapse. During a press conference, Parnell said his crews were doing exactly what they were supposed to when the explosion occurred.

“They were on the roof cutting holes. They were dragging hose lines from the front to the back to extinguish the fire. And they were searching for the occupants,” said Parnell.

WNCN-TV CBS 17 Goldsboro

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The Spokane Fire Department received a new building site for firefighter training thanks to Bethany Presbyterian Church, the agency announced in a social media post. Bethany Presbyterian donated their former building on the South Hill. “Over the past few months, numerous crews have trained in the structure, practicing large-area searches, long-stretch hose deployments, laddering, and firefighter rescue/MAYDAY scenarios,” SFD said. “The timing of this opportunity could not have been better, as it also allowed us to take our firefighter recruits nearing the end of their academy training into real buildings outside our Training Center.” SFD called training experiences in real buildings “invaluable.”

KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

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Fire department swift water rescue teams from across Washington are actively assisting local resources with rescuing citizens in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties in response to the current flooding of several rivers in those areas. Teams from fire departments in Chelan, Spokane, Thurston and Yakima counties are working alongside local fire departments and other responders from federal, state, and local agencies to search for and rescue people stranded by floodwaters. Those rescue teams responded to requests from the State Fire Marshal’s Office after Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized use of the State Fire Service Mobilization Plan at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Chief Batiste’s authorization came at the request of multiple fire agencies in the affected counties. Mobilization resources are expected to be in place through the weekend.

This mobilization response to the current flood event is the 405th use of the Mobilization Plan since its inception in 1994. The All-Risk Mobilization program is managed by the Fire Prevention Division of the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, a bureau within the Washington State Patrol.

Columbia Gorge News – Metered Source

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