Donation brings new equipment to Hopewell Fire’s drone program

HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) — A donation from a local treatment center is looking to strengthen the Hopewell Fire and EMS drone program through the purchase of a new drone and other equipment.

Earlier this year, two drone pilots identified limitations in the department's existing equipment, including longer deployment times and reduced operational effectiveness. The "aging" drone platforms no longer met the department's needs, per the release.

However, funding was not available to replace the drones.

Arrowwood Addiction Treatment Center then contacted the fire department to offer assistance. The $10,000 donation from the center allowed the department to purchase a new drone from ANZU Robotics, additional batteries that provide about two hours of total flight time and a speaker system to support communication during an emergency.

The new drone offers improved portability, faster deployment and the ability to livestream real-time video to command staff and the city's emergency operations center, per the release.

"The upgraded technology will enhance response efforts during structure fires, hazardous material incidents, land and water search-and-rescue operations, and other emergencies," according to the release.