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Sinema: Why we need drones to fight wildfires
Aug 24, 2015Arizonans are all too familiar with the devastating effects that wildfires have on our communities. These deadly flames burn millions of acres, destroy hundreds of homes and threaten the health and safety of Arizona families and first responders.
On June 30, 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire took far more than our homes or our land — it tragically claimed the lives of 19 Arizona hotshots. It was the deadliest wildfire-related incident since 1933 and an unthinkable day for Arizona.
Firefighters understand the significant risks of their profession, and these heroes put everything on the line to protect our neighbors and families. It’s our responsibility to do everything we can to prevent future tragedies. We need to give them the tools that will enable them to return home safely to their families after each fire.
In June, I introduced the Protecting Firefighters and Promoting Innovation Act — bipartisan legislation to integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into firefighting efforts. These technologies will help firefighters fight wildfires faster, safer and more effectively.
THE YARNELL EXAMPLE
In the months following the tragedy, the Arizona State Forestry Division released aSerious Accident Investigation Report regarding the Yarnell Hill Fire. Wildfires like the Yarnell Hill Fire escalate quickly, becoming complex and dangerous. What begins as a 20-person operation can become a 200-person operation overnight. The report analyzed the events on that tragic day, identified problems and proposed solutions to improve future response.
Some of the problems identified by the report were very serious and deserve immediate attention.
When the hotshots signaled for help and deployed fire shelters, responding teams were unable to accurately determine the crew’s location, preventing timely search and rescue. An air tanker was even waiting to drop flame retardant to buy the hotshots more time to escape.
The report concluded that improved resource tracking, communications and real-time weather updates could have made the difference. While there were a number of factors at play, UAS could have given these hotshots, and other firefighting crews, real-time insight into the fire’s location and direction, which might have saved lives.
While no substitute for adequate funding and training, UAS can complement existing firefighting capabilities by improving coordination through real-time updates, delivering countermeasures in remote and inaccessible areas, and reducing the exposure and risk to first responders.
This op-ed originally apperaed in the Arizona Republic-
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Comments (optional) repName Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema helpWithFedAgencyAddress 2944 N. 44th Street
Suite 150
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: 602-956-2285
Hours: M-F 8-5:00pmdistrict 9th District of Arizona academyUSCitizenDate July 1, 2016 academyAgeDate July 1, 2016 academyApplicationDueDate October 20, 2016 repStateABBR AZ repDistrict 9 repState Arizona repDistrictText 9st repPhoto SponsoredBills Sponsored Bills CoSponsoredBills Co-Sponsored Bills
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