A new drone technology program launched Monday at Great Oaks Career Campuses, and it's the first of its kind in the world.
Through the program, first responders can become drone certified as an emergency services drone operator. “It’s opening up doors to programs beyond your traditional law enforcement and firefighter basic training academy. The idea is to add programs and bring them back to continue their education over the course of their 25-30-year careers," fire safety services supervisor Johnny Mason said.
The course teaches first responders how to fly the drone and how to view and interpret emergency scenes from above.
“The drone can do anything from locate a fire, and give us hot spots in a burning building, telling where a fire may still be, missing people. It can go out and find a heat signature and tell us and help us locate," program coordinator Dan Runyan said.
Monday was the first day for the course.