Providing 24/7 emergency response coverage, Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service operates from fire stations in Carlow Town, Bagenalstown, Tullow and Hacketstown, responding to a wide range of incidents including building fires, vehicle fires, gorse and forestry fires, road traffic collisions, river rescues and Major Emergencies.
The introduction of thermal imagery drones marks a significant step forward and enhances the ongoing commitment to advanced technology used within the Fire Service to provide a safer, faster and more effective emergency response.
The drone’s thermal imagery capability will allow fire crews to identify sources of heat at fires, such as large buildings, gorse and forestry fires which the County Fire Service attend. The same lifesaving technology is used by the Irish Coast Guard and Civil Defence in search and rescue missions and could be instrumental in locating missing persons in challenging environments and along the River Barrow and the River Slaney that both flow through Carlow.
Following severe weather events such as storms, flooding, and snow, drones can be rapidly deployed and have the capability to scan large areas in a short space of time, this is valuable in ensuring resources are deployed where required.
Acting Chief Fire Officer Ben Woodhouse said:
‘The introduction of drones to our operational equipment emphasises our continued commitment to embracing innovation and the latest technology to provide County Carlow with highest standard response’. ‘We are looking forward to our Fire Crews using the drones, gathering as much information as possible, and getting a greater operational overview of a situation to support their decisions making on the fire ground’.
Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service are using this opportunity to remind the public that unauthorised drone use near emergency incidents can interfere with emergency service operations.
Assistant Chief fire Officer Ryan Lally said:
‘Unauthorised drone use near or over emergencies we are attending may prevent the fire service to safely deploy drones. It may also impact and prevent the Irish Coast Guard Helicopter, Gardai, and Defence Forces firefighting Helicopters at incidents where we often rely on their support.’
These drones, with thermal imagery capability, highlight the advancement in firefighting technology, support the commitment by Carlow County Fire & Rescue Service to continuously invest and upgrade equipment, and emphasises our responsibility to provide a safer, more efficient fire service in County Carlow.