The $360,000 given for the vehicle was not in the form of a “grant,” but a zero-interest loan from the cooperative to Mount Airy which will be repaid.

And the money is not from co-op funds, Martin further reminded, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. It provides funding to rural counties through local utility organizations such as Surry-Yadkin.

Such assistance mainly is designed for projects that that will create and retain employment, but also can be used for community-development purposes involving non-profit entities and public bodies. The USDA enlists electric co-ops as clearinghouses for such grants for a logical reason.

Managing Director of the Authority Denniston Fraser said the BVIAA cannot allow the facility to operate without a functioning fire truck.

“We have some mechanical issues with the fire truck that just kind of came upon us … I guess after the onslaught of the hurricanes everything just coming down.”

“We have a truck that is really limping right now and we have to take precautions before it drops (completely shuts down) on us. We figure it will drop by Saturday or so. So that’s why decided to close down the airport,” Fraser explained.

He said the fire truck’s malfunction was the ‘primary issue’ that led to the airport’s closure. 

The program would have strict rules about how video or photos from drones could be used, and any data transmitted from drones would be encrypted so that no one could steal it.

The drones wouldn’t be used by the police department to investigate crimes or monitor the city. State law places restrictions on police departments that want to use drones. For example, police would need to get a search warrant before using a drone to take videos or photos.

However, the fire department can use drones to improve public safety. Williams said that one drone would be equipped with an infrared camera, which would make it easier to find missing people. They could also carry spotlights that would help search and rescue crews keep working at night.

Using a helicopter for those situations costs about $2,000 an hour, and requires extra time to get to the location. Williams said launching a drone can be much faster and cheaper.