Seven members of the Fire Department’s arson and bomb squad received their certification to fly the unmanned aircraft, Fire Department spokeswoman Ashley Papagni said.

Capt. Trenton Campbell said the technology will help members of his team responding to reports of suspicious packages make faster assessments of what firefighters are up against. He said it would take “literally minutes” from the time firefighters arrive to when a drone could capture images of a device and the surrounding area.

Aan email with photos from a concerned citizen were taken inside the fire station showing trash bags being placed over windows used to keep the heat in the winter, mold issues, sagging ceiling tiles, flooded storm drains and rodent issues.

Crew members at Engine Company 27 said their complaints have fallen on deaf ears despite being one of the busier firehouses in the city.

The area has deteriorated to the point that it may damage the fire trucks as they exit the building. In order to prevent this damage and to allow quick departure for fire calls, the city will repair the area.

The Clintonville City Council authorized the funds to pay for the repair project to come from the undesignated general fund balance. But if the city has leftover funds available at the end of the year in the capital fund account, those funds will be used first.