DJI, a leader in unmanned aerial technology, recently unveiled the new Matrice 200 drone series (M200), which is purpose-built for professional users to perform aerial inspections and collect data. 

The M200 series’ folding body is easy to carry and easy to set up, with a weather- and water-resistant body, ideal for field operations. It offers DJI’s first upward-facing gimbal mount, opening up the undersides of bridges, towers, and other structures to inspection. It is compatible with DJI’s powerful X4S and X5S cameras, as well as the high-powered Z30 zoom camera and the XT camera for thermal imaging. It has a forward-facing first-person view camera, allowing a pilot and a camera operator to monitor separate images on dual controllers. Its safety features include obstacle avoidance sensors facing forward, up and down, as well as an ADS-B receiver for advisory traffic information from nearby manned aircraft. With a dual-battery setup, the M200 platform can fly for up to 35 minutes with a mounted camera.

“Drones have quickly become a standard part of the enterprise toolkit and industrial users have come to rely on DJI technology to efficiently collect aerial data,” said Paul Guo, Director Enterprise Solutions at DJI. “With the M200 series, DJI introduces a holistic solution designed specifically for these users. We are revolutionizing professional workflows by making it possible to use advanced sensors in various combinations to make sophisticated tasks such as bridge inspections, land surveying, and search-and-rescue missions easier, safer, and more reliable than ever before.” 

The M200 series is designed for professionals using drones for more precise, efficient, and safe aerial data collection. Examples of industry applications include:

• Public Safety—When time is of essence and weather conditions turn foul, first responders require a versatile and reliable aerial platform. Carrying visual and/or thermal sensors, the M200 provides situational awareness of potentially dangerous situations such as fires, searches, and natural disasters. Incident commanders can use data collected by the M200 to make smarter and better decisions, protecting life and property while minimizing the safety risk to rescue personnel.
• Critical Infrastructure Inspections—Work near power lines, telecommunications towers, and bridges puts inspectors at risk of falls and electric shock. DJI’s M200 improves safety as work can be done from a distance. The M200 can identify millimeter-sized faults in buildings, roads and bridges in real time, making those operations more safe, efficient, and effective.
• Construction Site Mapping—Surveying and mapping often need to be conducted regardless of weather conditions and other external factors. The M200 is a rugged platform designed to handle tough conditions. The M200 gives construction site managers an efficient tool to review progress and workflow, ensuring more efficient use of resources.

Standard and Pro versions
The M200 series comes in three versions. The standard M200 is equipped with one downward-facing gimbal mount. The M210 opens up for multiple payload configurations—one single downward facing gimbal mount, two parallel downward-facing gimbal mounts, or one upward-facing gimbal mount. The M210 features additional connectivity ports to support third-party sensors and accessories. The M210 has the capability to support additional sensors in the future, and additional payload can be mounte

Above, top to bottom: Tom Dunne, Anthony Avillo, and Mike Ciampo

Question: During the past year, was there an event, an occurrence, or a bit of knowledge you came across that moved you to think, “Wow! I must remember to include that in my FDIC class or workshop this year”?

Anthony Avillo  

I read the line-of-duty death report of the firefighter killed in New York State as part of a mutual-aid response. It made me realize how underprepared and coordination deficient mutual-aid groups are.  When the only time they see each other is on the fireground, that means that no training, planning, or interdepartment policy or coordination has been done. That is very dangerous, like “Tower of Babel” firefighting.

Les Baker

While conducting training in Bossier, Louisiana, we had a response for a vehicle that had a significant driver’s side intrusion from a lateral impact. It provided the perfect situation to work on tactics on a vehicle that underwent a collision and allowed the components to act appropriately. After further inspection, there were two car seats in the back seat. In between the two seats was an adult bag valve mask. Based on the clues left, it was obvious that the driver—the parent (or guardian) of the two kids—was critically injured or killed. The kids’ lives would never be the same after the incident. It proved to be a moment of reflection for me on why I train responders and speak at conferences such as FDIC International. It is my hope that I can be that difference that enables a responder to change the lives of victims in a positive way.

Alan Brunacini

For a long time, I have conducted discussions in FDIC International educational sessions about functional boss behaviors. It is a leadership topic that produces a lot of energy, discussion, and expression from the participants on experiences of being a boss or the treatment they have received from their boss. I recently was part of a meeting where we talked about how a boss can improve his effective level of boss engagement in the workplace. I have reflected on that issue; this year in my FDIC International boss session, I am going to slip into the conversation that bosses must focus on what they can control and accept what they cannot control, and that self-control is about the only thing under a person’s control. I am looking forward to the discussion.

More: FDIC Must-Share Moments: Raul Angulo

Deputy Chief (Ret.) Thomas Dunne

New York City Fire Department

Recently, after giving my “Think Like an Incident Commander” presentation to a classroom of firefighters, I was approached by one of the students. Normally, I would expect to handle questions regarding firefighting strategy and tactics, but this particular individual raised an interesting point: He had recently been promoted, but he did not have a great deal of firefighting experience since he had served in the military and was older than most new firefighters when he first came into the fire service.  He proceeded to tell me that he was finding it difficult to feel confident when supervising other firefighters, many of whom had more actual fireground experience than he did. Apparently, the segment of my class that he found most helpful involved the discussion about developing a comfort level as an incident commander and decision maker at an emergency operation.

I was immediately impressed with both his insight and honesty. His comments reflected the exact same doubts I

 The rig is built on an Attacker HD cab and chassis, with a body constructed of stainless steel.

FDIC International is the largest fire service conference and exhibition in North America. Come here once and you will discover why not only firefighters but vendors want to be here. Here are 5 five reasons you need to be here.

1. H.O.T. Training: You simply will not find comparable hands-on training anywhere. If you want to learn from the best of the best in the most challenging environments, FDIC International hands-on training is the only place you can truly achieve that goal.
2. New Equipment Demonstrations: In tandem with hands-on training, you get to experience the newest equipment available to the fire service. This isn’t just seeing it. This is donning it, using it, putting it through its paces, and providing real-time feedback to the manufacturers who supply it.
3. Classrooms: There are more than 200 classroom sessions after you’re done HOT training. After two rigorous days, it’s time to spend some time in the classroom with leading fire service leaders.
4. The Exhibits: You won’t find a bigger show floor in North America for the fire service. Manufacturers come to FDIC International to introduce their latest innovations. You’ll see them here first. And, you’ll get to talk about the equipment or fire apparatus with the people who designed it. FDIC International isn’t a regional show where you’ll only be able to talk with a local sales representative.
5. Camaraderie: Firefighters are firefighters no matter where they are from. When you come to FDIC International, you have an opportunity for camaraderie during training, during the conference portion of the event, and of course, the night life as you gather at the end of a long day of learning to relax and share stories with fellow firefighters. FDIC International gathers more firefighters than any event in North America. The opportunities for building long-lasting friendships abound here.

Couldn’t make it this year? We’ll be doing our best this week to bring you as close to FDIC International as possible without getting on a plane. Keep watching www.fdic.com for the latest updates from the show.