INDIANAPOLIS, IN—Fotokite recently announced the launch of a new product for firefighters in partnership with Pierce Manufacturing. Pierce Situational Awareness Systems by Fotokite are actively tethered unmanned aerial systems (UAS) integrated directly into public safety vehicles and firefighter operations. The systems provide persistent aerial situational awareness with the single push of a button, no piloting necessary. Pierce Fotokite systems are already installed and operational in major fire departments across the U.S., including integration into Pierce fire apparatus, frontline command vehicles, and fire chiefs’ SUVs. These systems have been used by firefighters in operations such as live fire response, search and rescue missions, and structure collapse inspection.

The Pierce Situational Awareness System by Fotokite has been specifically designed and built from the ground up specifically to help in first responder operations. Pierce Fotokite systems do not require piloting at any point in operation and are the only UAS authorized by the FAA to be used by all public safety teams without requiring pilot licenses or individual authorizations to fly. This reduces the burden on fire departments to train members on every team to operate traditional drones and maintain expensive pilot programs—Fotokite technology can be leveraged by every first responder department in the U.S., today. Pierce Fotokites deliver automatic and reliable hands-off launching, flight, and landing from a small vehicle-integrated enclosure while also providing 24+ hour continuous flight endurance and secure data delivery via tether, rather than wireless data transmission dependency. Thermal and visual video are streamed directly to first responder laptops, tablets, and even remote command centers to gain instant situational awareness capabilities. The lightweight, heavy-duty flight frame is designed for robust long-term operation in demanding environments and is IP55 rated to fly in rain, snow, and windy conditions.

No-hassle use of Pierce Situational Awareness Systems by Fotokite follows the recent HR 302 FAA Reauthorization specific to Public Actively Tethered UAS, which came into effect as of April 4, 2019. Pierce Fotokite technology uniquely fit the criteria defining Actively Tethered UAS today, allowing first responders to gain aerial situational awareness without requiring a piloting license or a certificate of authorization or waiver (i.e. COA or Pt. 107).

For more information, visit https://fotokite.com/.

By Mike Ciampo

Speigletown is a hamlet within the town of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County, New York. It is located just northeast of the City of Troy. It is near the Hudson River and also a suburb of the City of Albany, the capital of New York. As with many areas in the northeast, the land was once inhabited by the Mohican Indian tribe, and early settlers went to this area because of the river’s transportation traits. Agriculture flourished early on, and with the mills operating on water power from the river, things flourished for the area. Today, the agriculture presence is still there, but much of the area is now residential and commercial like so many areas in the vicinity of larger cities.

The Speigletown District (NY) Volunteer Fire Company (SDVFD) began back in the summer of 1944 when a group of men decided the area needed fire protection. At this meeting, it was decided to begin fundraising efforts to purchase equipment. While those efforts were under way, the department responded to its first fire in 1945. The members responded without any apparatus or equipment to a barn fire. W the blaze was roaring, members entered the adjoining house to remove furniture and personal belongings of the owners before they were lost to the ravages of fire. Soon after the fire, funds were secured, and the department purchased its first pumper while its membership had reached a total of 111. The firehouse was being built in the years to follow, and the rig was kept in a local barn until they moved into today’s present firehouse that has been updated and renovated over the years to accommodate the department’s present fleet of apparatus.

The SDVFD provides basic life support and first responder EMS to the community along with fire protection and fire prevention duties. The department operates a 2013 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor as Car 1, a 2005 Ford Explorer as Car 2, a 2006 Ford Expedition as First Responder 35, a 2001 Ford 550 mini pumper, a 2016 KME engine-rescue, a 2016 KME engine-tanker. The department also boasts a 1936 American La France with a Diamond Rio straight six engine that is used in parades, musters, public relations events, and members’ funerals.

Engine-Ladder 35 (EL-35) is a 2006 E-One Typhoon 75-rear-mount rearmount HP 75 aerial ladder. It has a 1,500-gpm pump, a 500-gallon water tank, and a 25-gallon Class A foam tank. The apparatus is painted black over red on its cab and red on sides of the rear body. There are three reflective stripes (two thin yellow and one thick black) running along the lower portion of the cab and continuing along the body until it goes into the “Z” pattern and runs higher on the rear portion of the rig. The words “Fire Rescue” are on the side compartments over the wheel well. The aerial ladder has large signage on each side with “Speigletown” written on them. The Tasmanian Devil is on all of the department’s apparatus, with equipment or tools that resemble that company’s specific duties. On EL-35 the devil is holding a ladder in one hand and a nozzle in the other, with the words “Black Sheep” above it.

The driver’s compartment behind the pump panel is equipped for engine and truck work. The compartment has two large horizontal pull-out trays on the left side of the compartment. The right side of the compartment has two large vertical pull-out tool storage racks. On the lower shelf, there is a dry chemical extinguisher, hydrant valve, assorted fittings box, assorted hand tools (rubber mallet, hydrant, and spanner wrenches), K-Too

Professional responders who are first to arrive at a mass casualty incident (MCI) face a complex and potentially overwhelming challenge. It’s possible the first to arrive may be an inexperienced responder who will have to make decisions quickly and may lack mental models to help drive their behaviors. Even in a well-coordinated response, the professional responders may not be able to treat all the injured at the same time, and so they must triage and prioritize the victims.

Spontaneous volunteers often heroically step in to fill the gap without being asked, but their courage and commitment often adds complexity to an already chaotic and challenging situation. Recent MCIs demonstrate that volunteers are often willing to help in a variety of ways. The additional support can make a significant difference in the response, and can help saves lives. Current policy and training don’t encourage professional responders to engage and leverage the public in this manner.¹

The initial professional responder (IPR) is defined as “the initial professionally trained and legally recognized responder to arrive at the scene of an event.” It is usually a member of the police, fire or EMS. An IPR arriving on scene at any complex event is often the immediate center of attention for volunteers and victims. The IPR is seen as the legitimate authority and expert to turn to.

This can create a significant amount of stress on the IPR, as well as providing the IPR with an important amount of informal power. The IPR is expected to take charge, make decisions and provide information under the most challenging of circumstances. A simple and straightforward method of trying to bring order to the chaos is needed to allow the IRP to make decisions and manage the incident effectively.

Recognition of the capacity for volunteers to help has led to a number of new initiatives aiming to train and empower volunteers. Simple yet effective medical techniques and initiatives have been developed, such as Stop the Bleed, Be the Help,² and Until Help Arrives.³

Current training for professional responders focuses on reducing the complexity and liability of a response to an MCI by “clearing” the scene of spontaneous volunteers and bystanders. This approach doesn’t recognize the reality of spontaneous volunteers, nor does it allow the IPR to take advantage of the skills and potential support spontaneous volunteers can provide.Volunteers are critical to the initial response in many types of emergencies, from terrorist events to vehicle accidents to mass evacuations.⁴ In these events, the professional responders need to understand “who can help.”  

Protocol for Volunteer Support

A team from the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative (NPLI) at Harvard University studied the problem of volunteers at emergencies. They believe if IPRs are trained in using a simple protocol to better control and leverage the capacity and support of “spontaneous volunteers,” it will lead to better outcomes. These outcomes could be fewer deaths and injuries, faster casualty evacuation, and more effective scene control at MCIs and other emergency events. The success of this initiative is the development of a protocol and supporting training that allows professional responders to be knowledgeable and effective in coordinating the support of volunteers.

Volunteers assist on-scene for a variety of reasons, but regardless of their motivation, there will be a wide variance in skills, abilities and willingness to undertake certain tasks. A “spontaneous volunteer” (SV) is already helping in some regard when the IPR shows up. A “willing volunteer” (WV) may be in close proximity, but is waiting for a social cue or leadership from someone to help engage and direct their support. There will be those individuals on scene that are unable or unwilling to support the efforts, and they are classifi

David R. Short II was remembered as having a larger-than-life personality. According to friends, he was easy to talk to and well-liked in his community. The 26-year-old Indianapolis Fire Department recruit firefighter was killed Friday evening in a four-vehicle crash near the Indianapolis Regional Airport in Hancock County.
- PUB DATE: 4/22/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Indy Star