Drone program provides emergency responders critical information prior to arrival on scene
GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The City of Gatlinburg is enhancing its emergency services to better protect its residents and visitors with the launch of the Gatlinburg Public Safety Aviation Program, an innovative initiative that places advanced drone technology on the front lines of emergency response for the Gatlinburg Police Department and Gatlinburg Fire Department.
Through the Aviation Program, drones can be dispatched to emergency calls and often serve as the first responding resource to arrive on scene, providing police officers and firefighters with a valuable aerial perspective before personnel reach the location. The Aviation Program features three drones, which are manufactured by Skydio, operating from three launch sites strategically located throughout the City, allowing for aerial response to emergencies in different areas of Gatlinburg.
Equipped with advanced camera and thermal imaging technology, each drone, once dispatched to the emergency call, provides real-time aerial views of emergency scenes, identify potential fire activity, detect heat signatures within and around structures, and help responding personnel assess conditions before arriving.
The Gatlinburg Public Safety Aviation Program has had several success stories in the short time that it has been available as a resource to the Fire Department, being able to detect sources of structure fires within seconds after arriving on the scene.
During testing for the program in July, a drone was dispatched to a structure fire at a downtown Gatlinburg hotel. Upon arrival at the scene, the drone used the thermal imaging capability to determine the fire was in the roof and what side of the building the fire was on, saving crucial minutes.
At approximately 5 a.m. on October 29, the Gatlinburg Fire Department was dispatched to a potential brush fire, which was called in by a neighboring property owner. After the drone arrived on the scene, it was able to identify that the fire was a heavily involved structure fire, allowing other personnel to be dispatched to the scene immediately.
"Every second matters when responding to an emergency and being able to have a drone arrive ahead of our personnel gives us information that we previously may not have had until personnel reached the scene," said Gatlinburg Interim Fire Chief Wayne Brandenburg. "The thermal imaging capabilities are especially valuable because they allow us to identify heat signatures and potential fire conditions that may not be immediately visible. This technology helps us better understand what we are responding to and allows our firefighters to approach emergency situations with greater awareness and preparation."
The Gatlinburg Police Department is also able to utilize the drones, which provide valuable situational awareness during searches, investigations, and other emergency incidents.
"This program gives our officers and personnel an important advantage by allowing us to see what is happening at the scene before we arrive," said Gatlinburg Police Chief Ronnie Barrett. "Whether we are responding to a traffic crash, searching for a missing person, or handling a potentially dangerous situation, having an aerial perspective allows our officers to make more informed decisions and better prepare for the conditions they may encounter. This is another tremendous investment by the City for the safety of our residents and visitors, as well as the safety of our Officers.”
The Gatlinburg Public Safety Aviation Program is designed to support the City's existing emergency response operations, not replace police officers or firefighters.
Gatlinburg Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic Ian Wedlock, who serves as the Program Manager and has coordinated the development and implementation of the program, said this initiative represents an important advancement in the way the City's public safety departments respond to emergencies.
"Our goal with this program is to get critical information into the hands of our first responders as quickly as possible," Wedlock said. "By establishing three launch locations throughout Gatlinburg, we have created a system that allows us to deploy these drones to provide real-time information to responding personnel. This program brings together technology, training ,and coordination between our Police and Fire Departments to make emergency response more informed, coordinated, and effective."
The launch of the Gatlinburg Public Safety Aviation Program represents another significant investment by the City of Gatlinburg in modern public safety resources, building upon its continued commitment to providing emergency services personnel with the equipment, training, and technology needed to serve residents, businesses, and the millions of visitors who come to Gatlinburg each year. By providing this additional resource during emergencies, the program will help the City's public safety departments evaluate developing situations, identify potential hazards, and make informed decisions before personnel arrive on scene.
The Gatlinburg Public Safety Aviation Program reinforces the City's commitment to investing in innovative technology that supports first responders and strengthens public safety throughout the community.
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