CSFD using drones to put out fires and save more lives
Apr 14, 2025
(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo) — Sometimes during the day, you might see a drone up in the sky flying around your neighborhood for different reasons, but a drone being used by the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) is helping save lives.
CSFD started using drones in 2023, and since then, they ha
ve never responded to calls the same.
"The fire chief might not be on scene, but he can watch it through our live streams," said Lieutenant Drew Cahill.
Courtesy: FOX21 Photojournalist Hunter Phipps
CSFD says the drone team responded to 471 incidents in 2024 in order to help put out fires quicker and more efficiently.
The drone was used during the West Monument Creek Fire on the Air Force Academy Base. It allowed firefighters to see flames and hot spots in places that are not easy to see or access.
"We're not putting any lives at risk to get that information," Cahill said.
Along with fires, the drones are also used to rescue hikers in the mountains. Thermal technology allows firefighters to detect people through the tree branches and guide them to safety or let them know help is on the way.
Courtesy: Colorado Springs Fire Department
The drones are also able to provide immediate assistance to those lost in the woods.
"With the new drop system we have, we're going to be able to deliver items to people," Cahill said.
Cahill and the drone team have been called to various situations, including housefires, monitoring the aftermath of lightning strikes, helping police find criminals, or even in hazmat situations.
"I can fly and keep that overhead view," Cahill said. "We can see a lot greater area and see everything that's going on."
For CSFD, any data provided for these drones helps in their goal of serving while taking precautions in any way possible.
"Any time that we cannot put any person's life at risk is definitely a huge benefit," Cahill said.
Right now, the department has four drones and hopes to add more as Cahill tells FOX21 News he would like to get a smaller one to use in case of a large warehouse or other structure fires. ...read more read less
