Menlo Park Firefighters Keep An Eye From The Sky: PHOTOS

MENLO PARK, CA - Menlo Park Fire District first responders have a new tool to respond to emergencies, drones.

Captains Tony Eggimann and Chris Dennebaum on Patrol 77 kept a close eye on San Francisquito Creek Wednesday as it flirted with flood stage at the creeks West Bayshore underpass at Highway 101 in East Palo Alto.

In recent weeks, the drone pilots have been flying a variety of missions from a water rescue on the San Francisco Bay to a multi-day search and recovery in the South Bay.

“We have four DJI Drone Platforms now, from small to larger craft with sophisticated infrared camera’s that can detect thermal signatures needed for fires," Chief Harold Schapelhouman said. "We are currently carrying the Drone on our Battalion Command Vehicle but our next goal is to carry them on a variety of first response units."

The Fire District has also used its drones to capture traffic congestion, which creates emergency response challenges and delays for first responders.

Menlo Park firefighters hope to be able to fly the drones out in advance of responders to create a greater level of awareness and help manage emergencies.

- Images courtesy Menlo Park Fire District