Atlantic City integrates fleet of drones to expedite emergency response to harbor fires, fuel spills

SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Atlantic City is putting more eyes in the sky for public safety, improving how first responders deploy aid and extinguish harbor-based fires and oil spills.

At Bader Field in Atlantic City on Tuesday, public safety officials held a demonstration to show off the new technology: drones. Officials simulated an emergency response to a fire and fuel spill, showcasing a glimpse into what goes on at the command center. Once up in the air, the drones send video back to the command center, showing all sorts of data points.

The drones use artificial intelligence to spot oil leaks in the water. Fire Chief Scott Evans said the ability to assess a situation from above keeps first responders out of harm’s way and increases their situational awareness.

“We can see and identify what the product is, how much fire activity, the thermal activity to help us to be able to make decisions quickly,” he explained.

Howard Kyle, president of the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park, said the drones greatly improve efficiency and response time.

“In the past, if you needed an eye in the sky, you’d have to call out a helicopter,” he said. “It was much more time-consuming to deploy a helicopter for that kind of purpose. Here, you can have a response almost immediately out there.”

Evans said high winds are still the biggest obstacle to getting the most out of the drones, but he’s reassured that technology is improving year after year.

Atlantic City has seven drones in its fleet. Officials aim to add more and train staff pilots.