The Town of Olds Fire Department (OFD) has received funding from TC Energy through its Build Strong social impact program to enhance its advanced drone program.
The funding will be used to purchase a drone along with supporting equipment and software, strengthening OFD’s ability to respond to emergencies.
Over the past year, the department has participated in a groundbreaking “Drone as a First Responder” study in partnership with the University of Alberta.
The study demonstrated how drone technology improves situational awareness, enables faster response times, and enhances safety for both the public and first responders.
“With the experience of having a drone over the past year, we’ve seen firsthand how valuable this technology is,” said Fire Chief Justin Andrew. “It’s a public safety tool we would hate to be without.”
The addition of the drone ensures that OFD remains at the forefront of innovative emergency response solutions.
From fire response to search-and-rescue operations and hazardous incident assessments, drones have become an indispensable asset for the department.
**With information from the Town of Olds
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