While drones have been popular among law enforcement operations for nearly a decade, use in firefighting is a little more recent.

For example, Winona FD just introduced its first drone four years ago — especially hoping to enhance their situational assessment speed and improve their personnel safety at the scene.

Department Lt. Zachary Himes said the department recently upgraded that first drone to the DJI Mavic 3T drone as it has high resolution, thermal and greater zoom capabilities as well as a longer battery life.

Officials also added a self-contained monitoring screen and case, which according to fire chief George Brantingham, a trained drone operator along with son, Garrett, and Himes, offers greater flexibility on where they can monitor the drone.

Winona Fire Department Lieutenant Zachary Himes holds the controller for the department’s DJI Mavic 3T drone which has thermal imaging capability, making it a valuable tool for everything from combating large structure fires or hazmat operations to search-and-rescue. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

The department’s drone program is completely funded by private donations.

Prior to the monitoring station, operators would have to observe the footage from the drone in one of their trucks with a monitor in it, rendering that truck incapable of being dispatched elsewhere to another emergency.

Now if operators want to monitor drone footage, it is a matter of just finding any spot, popping open the case and setting up there.

Himes identified Ohio Drone Repair in Massillon as their provider in case any other departments are pondering adding a drone program.

Access to the drone technology has improved Winona’s popularity on the mutual aid call list.

So far, Winona has responded twice outside its jurisdiction to search and rescue calls: once for State Highway Patrol and another for another unidentified fire department.

Brantingham also said the device comes in handy during inspections and pre-planning for potential fires at large buildings.

However, he added that extremely hot weather can sometimes interfere with the thermal imaging device’s ability to work properly.

Himes concluded by explaining that Hanoverton Volunteer Fire Department actually was the first to have a drone within Columbiana County.

For more information about Winona’s drone program, visit winonafire.com or call the non-emergency station number at 330-222-1524.