CBS News Sacramento got an inside look at the Mountain House French Camp Fire Department's drone program, one of a growing number of public safety agencies using the technology to supplement the work of crews on the ground.
"This job is unpredictable, and giving that extra edge to us that says, 'Hey, we have this new eye from the sky, safety factor,' really helps," Duburg said.
The drone provided crews with live overhead images, giving commanders another perspective as they worked to battle the blaze.
Duburg currently leads a team of three drone pilots, including remote pilot-in-command Landon Stevens. The department plans to add three more pilots by the end of the year.
"They could point out hazards to us that maybe people can't see from the ground," Stevens said. "Especially when there's a fire going on, there's a lot happening at once."
A drone can provide another vantage point without putting an additional firefighter in a potentially dangerous position.
Drones expanding beyond firefighting
The use of drones isn't limited to fires.
Werner said he created the organization after seeing departments across the country attempting to develop drone programs independently.
Werner said the number of public safety drone programs has grown dramatically in recent years — from about 2,000 in 2019 to more than 10,000 today, according to figures he provided.
DroneResponders has more than 15,000 members across 94 countries, according to Werner.
"We've seen police officers often having to chase people across fences and backyards," Werner said. "Well, now the drone does that, and a lot of times it's even combined with a drone with a K-9."
Drones aren't replacing helicopters
"There's a misconception that somehow drones are going to replace helicopters, and they're not, because they have two uniquely different missions and limitations," Werner said.
One of the fastest-growing trends Werner has seen is the use of automated drone docks. The systems can launch a drone from a rooftop almost immediately after a 911 call, potentially giving first responders an aerial view before crews arrive or while they are responding.
Drones are also being used in wildfire operations to drop devices sometimes called "dragon eggs," which can ignite vegetation ahead of a wildfire to create a controlled backfire and remove fuel from the fire's path.
"The technology is pretty new right now," Stevens said. "This isn't what I ever expected, joining the fire service. But it's a great tool to have, and it's really exciting to be able to just kind of expand our skill set."
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