The Western Lakes Fire District announced last week that they are using new technology — donated drones — which will provide potentially life-saving services when responding to various emergencies in the community.
Since receiving the technology in March, Deputy Fire Chief & Lead Pilot Brad Ingersoll said they’ve already used them in a variety of situations, including flying one for approximately six hours during the Roundy’s warehouse shooting in Oconomowoc in March.
The department has also helped fight wild grass fires, helping fire crews on the ground locate fires that they were unable to see.
At a press conference last Thursday, Ingersoll said the district is excited to finally formally launch their Small Unmanned Aircraft System Aviation Program. The program is teamed with five certified pilots within the department.