LAFD drone programme receives FAA approval

Skyfire Consulting has announced that its drone programme developed for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), US, has been given Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval.

Skyfire is a safety-focussed drone consultancy that offers drone equipment, public safety-focused training, FAA consulting, grant assistance and service/repairs to help US first responder services to develop and maintain in-house drone programmes for their departments.

“Developing and implementing a UAS programme is a major undertaking,” said LAFD Battalion Chief Rich Fields, the department's UAS coordinator. “It was great to have Skyfire's expertise just a phone call away, and they made our final push very easy.”

Skyfire is currently continuing to develop UAV programmes for several other emergency services providers, including DeKalb County Fire Rescue, Orange County California Fire Authority and Orlando Fire Department.

Skyfire has also announced the launch of five new training courses to its catalogue, including basic UAV maintenance and repair, in-depth scenario-based training, focused seminars on the ins and outs of UAV apps, thermal imaging, and accident reconstruction. These courses will be debuted at the company’s second annual Skyfire Conference, to be held at Canyon of the Eagles Resort, and the Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet, Texas, between 28 February and 2 March.