Beyond the cost of the parts, all of the labor will be free and performed by active and retired firefighters.

Donations are tax deductible and any donations of $1,000 or more will be given an engraved plague on the fire engine, the organization says.

The foundation hopes to continue using the engine in community events such as parades. The El Cajon firefighters also hope the vehicle will play a role in raising awareness and fundraising for organizations like Make a Wish and the Burn institute.

This classic fire engine was used for local events even before IAFF owned it.

“It’s a super complicated piece of equipment and is relatively cutting edge,” said fire Chief Ernie Polsom. “As with anything high-tech there’s some interesting challenges moving it from acquisition to in-service. So, it’s taken us a little longer than we would have liked.”

Polsom said the integration of computers and other electronics in the truck took time. Plus, there was a “huge amount” of training involved to get a sufficient number of people qualified to operate the truck, he added, explaining the Raptor is a “quite a departure” from other vehicles.

During that year-and-a-bit lag, the truck was being used for training.

Now that it’s fully operational, the Raptor provides an opportunity for the fire department to get into tighter spots than it could previously, something that comes in handy with new developments’ narrower roads. It’s a single axle, so it’s a much shorter, manoeuverable piece of equipment than others at the fire department’s disposal.

The truck’s aerial device has a 100-foot reach, and the vehicle doesn’t need to be level for the device to be in use.

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.