"When a photographer donated two drones to Cal Fire's San Benito-Monterey Unit in 2021, the act of generosity launched a drone program that would break records and save lives. A team of Cal Fire drone pilots uses specialized technology to conduct prescribed burns, search for missing or injured individuals and keep emergency responders safe. The first pair of drones came without any guarantee that a drone program would get off the ground, figuratively or literally."
"We didn't know what to do with them. We didn't even know how to take off, says Cal Fire San Benito-Monterey Battalion Chief Josh Silveira. Today, Cal Fire San Benito-Monterey has the largest unmanned aircraft systems program of its kind in the state, in both number of pilots and flight hours. The 12 pilots in the unit fly hundreds of hours a year and, out of the 180 pilots working for Cal Fire, account for 40% of all drone flights."
Cal Fire San Benito-Monterey launched a drone program in 2021 after two donated aircraft. A 12-pilot team now operates the state's largest unmanned aircraft systems program by number of pilots and flight hours, flying hundreds of hours annually and performing about 40% of Cal Fire's drone flights. Pilots use specialized technology, including thermal cameras, to conduct prescribed burns, search for missing or injured individuals, and enhance responder safety. Local fire and community districts fund much of the program by purchasing aircraft. The program maintains an annual operating budget of approximately $50,000 to cover costs.
Read at www.montereyherald.com
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