A view of the fire at the St Marys plant in western Sydney which used a ‘sniffer’ drone. Image: FRNSW
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is now using a drone that can ‘sniff’ out airborne threats like dangerous gas.
The smelling drone was successfully used at a major chemical fire at a waste recycling plant at St Marys, western Sydney.
The drone was able to analyse smoke from the fire, identify its chemical make-up and determining potential risk, the NSW Government says.
It also analysed the atmosphere around burning gas cylinders within the plant; it can detect 12 chemicals in the air including chlorine, carbon dioxide and flammable gases.
RELATED STORY: Drones used to fight St Marys fire
The drone can provide live data and gas readings to Command Posts, the FRNSW Strategic Operations Centre at Alexandria, or to scientific support staff for analysis.
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell says the drone enables them to assess dangerous environments quickly.
“Our crews are highly trained to deal with hazardous materials emergencies, but this type of drone means we don’t have to risk anyone’s safety when trying to identify potentially dangerous substances,” he says.
“When crews arrive at the scene of a fire, they can quickly get one of these drones airborne to determine the threat we’re dealing with, and make crucial decisions based on immediate information.”
NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib says it is terrific to see FRNSW using new technologies.
“This is just the latest in an ever-growing list of FRNSW drone capabilities which means firefighters can have eyes – and a nose – on any blazes they’re battling,” he says.
“The drones can fly over built-up areas, assess the risk, and help authorities protect people in their homes, at work, or in critical infrastructure such as schools or hospitals.
“Firefighters are prepared for anything, including embracing new technologies to protect the irreplaceable.”
Other drones in the FRNSW fleet can collect water samples for chemical testing, enter buildings through small openings to search for trapped people or identify structural threats or else use infra-red cameras for overnight search-and-rescue missions.
