Douglas County officials this week showed off their newest tools for detecting and stamping out wildfires, including a firefighting helicopter and artificial intelligence-powered cameras.

Related Articles

• Man pleads guilty to starting Bucktail fire in Montrose County by trying to cremate dog
• As Colorado wildfires worsen, Sen. John Hickenlooper’s bill aims to reduce risks. But it worries some environmentalists.
• Grass fire burning along I-225 near RTD station under control, officials say
• Suspect arrested in Summit County wildfire that closed I-70
• Bipartisan vote kills governor’s plan to lower homeowners insurance costs in Colorado

Commissioners in January inked a $1.5 million deal that included access to the helicopter, which can dump as much as 300 gallons of water at a time, according to a county news release.

The aircraft took flight Friday at a showcase organized by the county.

Commissioner Abe Laydon said in the release that Douglas County is now the only Colorado county with its own dedicated firefighting helicopter and crew on standby year-round.

The county also promoted cameras backed by Pano AI software, which have been credited with the timely discovery and containment of a wildfire sparked in the Bennett Mountain area above Strontia Springs Reservoir last year.

• South Metro (CO) Fire Rescue Adds Four New Engines
• Introducing Dive 19: South Metro (CO) Fire Rescue’s Upgraded Water Rescue Capability
• Longmont (CO) FD Adds 100-Foot Midmount Ladder Truck

“We’re not waiting for disaster to strike before we act,” Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said in the release. “We’re building a wildfire response system that uses every tool available to protect lives, property and our natural resources.”

Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.

©2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at denverpost.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Douglas County (CO) Debuts New Helicopter, AI Tools to Fight Wildfires appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

PROSPER, Texas (May 13, 2025) – The Prosper Police Department is proud to announce the implementation of a groundbreaking air-based drone program designed to save lives and enhance public safety. Prosper is the first agency in the State of Texas to launch the Flock Aerodome Drone as First Responder system, which utilizes automated DFR 2.0 technology and advanced systems such as Detect and Avoid (DAA) radar, an integration with Flock911 and Flock License Plate Readers (LPR), and the ability to fly up to 400 feet.

This futuristic addition to the Prosper Police Department is in part thanks to grant funding by the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) Auto Theft Reduction Grant. Combined with the launch of patrol-based drone operations, this program impactfully expands the Town’s Public Safety Programs, revolutionizing community safety.
 
The Prosper Police Department and Fire-Rescue hosted an information session at Prosper Town Hall on May 20, 2025, for those interested in learning more about the program. Speakers at this press conference included Mayor David Bristol, Police Chief Doug Kowalski, Fire Chief Stuart Blasingame and Flock representatives.
 
 “By integrating these advanced drone programs into our operations, we are providing our officers with a powerful tool that significantly enhances safety and service for our community,” said Chief Doug Kowalski. “These programs offer many of the same benefits as helicopters, enabling us to respond to critical incidents with greater precision and effectiveness, ultimately transforming our approach to public safety.”
 
 “I am proud to support the Prosper Police Department in launching this innovative drone program,” said Mayor David Bristol. “This initiative reflects the Town Council’s unwavering commitment to investing in cutting-edge technology that not only enhances public safety but also protects our officers and ensures the well-being of our residents.”
 
 The Flock Aerodome DFR system strategically positions drones at automated battery-swapping docks across the town, enabling Prosper PD pilots to automatically launch and manually pilot the drones to service calls and emergency situations with an average response time of 86 seconds. This innovation marks a significant advancement in safeguarding the Prosper community. Furthermore, the patrol-based drone program, managed by certified Prosper Police Officers, offers equally impactful benefits, further enhancing response capabilities.

“Many of us here are first responders ourselves, and we know that every second counts in an emergency,” said Rahul Sidhu, VP of Aviation at Flock Safety. “We’re honored to partner with Prosper PD to deploy and maintain the first Flock Aerodome DFR program in the state of Texas.”
 
 These initiatives elevate community protection, improve response efficiency, and support police in search-and-rescue operations, establishing aerial perimeters and providing real-time situational awareness during critical incidents. The Flock Aerodome system and existing Flock Safety License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras are integrated on a common platform, enabling DFR pilots to quickly dispatch aerial assets to gather additional visual evidence following an LPR alert. First responders can reach the scene within 86 seconds

Hema Sivanandam
Bay Area News Group
(TNS)

BRENTWOOD — Just days after the Brentwood Planning Commission rejected plans for a new downtown fire station, a city councilmember filed an appeal. Now, the issue is headed to the City Council for discussion.

Set to be heard on June 10, Councilmember Tony Oerlemans said he filed the appeal and scheduled the discussion because he felt planning commissioners “weren’t asking any questions” and dismissed the application.

Oerlemans said commissioners instead focused on details such as a lack of trees, generator location, and brick materials. The councilmember said he wanted to be “a little more informed and knowledgeable” about the project to make an informed decision on it.

“I felt the City Council should research it themselves and be able to make that decision. I think maybe we could ask if you (fire district) are interested in changing any of that? Could you make any modifications? Is there a reason it’s set this way, or are you guys so set that it has to be this way, then we have to deny it?” said Oerlemans. “I don’t think it was there. It was just a flat no.”

As a Brentwood resident for over 20 years, Oerlemans said he remembers the obsolete Fire Station 54, which was previously used by East Contra Costa Fire Protection District in the same location where the recently rejected Fire Station 94 was proposed.

Oerlemans said firefighters used to hand out stickers to kids, bringing them closer to the community rather than merely responding to emergencies.

“Now I’m not 100% set (the fire station) has to be downtown, but if that’s where the fire department plans on building it, and if it’s going to get delayed to move to a different location, I would prefer not to wait,” he said. “I don’t think the residents of Brentwood should have to suffer for another two or three years without an additional fire station.”

On May 6, the Brentwood Planning Commission denied a design review application from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to construct the new 8,137-square-foot Fire Station 94 next to Brentwood Veteran’s Memorial Hall on First Street.

In their denial, commissioners cited the building’s architectural design as lacking in resemblance to others in the area. They said it also did not reflect the city’s agricultural roots.

Commissioners also found the project fell short in meeting the adequate landscaping required under the city’s Downtown Specific Plan.

This was the second time the project came before the planning commission. In March, commissioners deferred their decision despite hours of discussion as they instructed city staff to provide details on the impact that Fire Station 94 would have on traffic, noise, and air quality.

Following the May 6&nb

CARBONDALE — If you see a shiny new fire truck on the road in Carbondale, you’re not imagining things.

The Carbondale Fire Department held a dedication ceremony on Thursday afternoon for Fire Engine 6, a 2025 model rescue pumper truck that replaces a retiring engine.

“This is a very big moment, and something that we’re very proud of that’s going to serve the citizens of Carbondale for upwards of 20-25 years,” Carbondale Fire Chief Rob Miller said.

The new engine — replacing a 1996 model engine, as the department aims for a lifespan of a little over two decades with each vehicle — joins a fleet of three engines, two ladder trucks and one rescue truck.

Its role as a rescue pumper truck means that it will be able to carry out the duties of a traditional fire engine, while simultaneously carrying a variety of equipment that would typically be found on a rescue truck.

During the dedication ceremony, Carbondale residents helped push the truck into the station’s garage on College Street.

Miller said the practice is an homage to the early days of firefighting.

“Whenever the horse-drawn carriages would come back to the fire station, they would unhitch the horses and the firefighters would push their carriage back into the station,” Miller said. “The community would help push that stagecoach back into the firehouse.”

Additionally, residents rinsed off the engine with a provided commemorative towel. Pastor Bob Gray delivered a brief blessing.

As he invited the community to lend a hand in dedicating the fire engine, Miller emphasized the relationship between Carbondale and the fire department that serves the city.

• Peoria (IL) FD Adds New Ladder Truck, Two Pumpers for $3.2M
• Ashton (IL) FPD Has Midwest Fire Build Its New Pumper-Tanker
• Peoria (IL) Marks 150 Years as a Paid Career Fire Department

“The fire station is a part of your neighborhoods,” Miller said. “This firehouse is always open. It’s a very busy place. We have a lot of people going in and out just from the community, and it’s part of home.”

Miller thanked city staff in attendance, particularly Mayor Carolin Harvey and City Manager Stan Reno, for their help in getting the department a new truck.

Reno and Harvey joined several city employees and a few councilmembers in participating in the dedication ceremony.

“I know it’s well needed, and this is an important piece of equipment that will last a long time,” Reno said. “I hope that it brings more safety and resources and support to the fire department for the community at large.”

© 2025 The Southern Illinoisan, Ill.. Visit www.thesouthern.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Carbondale (IL) FD Dedicates New Rescue Pumper appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.