The Austin (Texas) Fire Department Robotics Emergency Deployment team is using a UAS to improve firefighter safety and its response to emergencies.

The mission of the fire department’s RED team is to mitigate real-world problems through the deployment of air, ground and maritime remotely operated resources, Coitt Kessler, Austin Fire Department RED team program manager said via email. 

The department uses a Leptron RDASS quadcopter for its search and rescue work. The platform carries a GoPro camera, has night-time navigational lighting for its evening Certificate of Authorization, Kessler said.

The UAS is painted fire engine red and has flashing lights attached to make it look like a flying fire truck, he said The RED team wants the quadcopter to resemble a fire truck so there is no question when and where the fire department is operating, Kessler said.

One of the remarkable things about watching CalFire work happens as they arrive to the scene of a wildfire and set up nearby incident command centers, miniature portable cities with facilities like showers, briefing areas where commanders present firefighters with relevant maps and weather conditions, and full kitchens. 

It's no surprise that the cost of firefighting personnel, equipment and setting up and stocking an incident command center are costly. 

But what's rare is for someone to get a bill. 

After a prescribed burn jumped the fire line on Bill Massa's Rat Camp Ranch near Chualar in March of 2014, Massa—a well-known figure in the Salinas produce shipping business—got a bill from CalFire 18 months later for a total of $527,003.30.