In an effort to create, test and deploy its UAS technology as an emergency response and preparedness tool, DJI has announced a Solution Development Partnership with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

Through the partnership, DJI will provide the LAFD with access to new technologies, training and support, so that the agency can utilize UAS technology as part of its operations. 

“We are excited to be strengthening our partnership with the LAFD, one of the nation’s preeminent public safety agencies, to help them take advantage of DJI’s drone technology that has been purpose-built for the public safety sector,” says Bill Chen, Enterprise Partnerships manager at DJI.

“Through our two-way collaboration, DJI will receive valuable insight into the complexities of deploying drones for emergency situations in one of the most complex urban environments in the nation. This insight will allow us to continue to refine and develop new technologies that will allow the LAFD and leading public safety agencies around the world to gain more value from life-saving drone technology.”

The LAFD will continue to deploy and test DJI’s UAS technology for the fire and rescue service industry. Thus far, the LAFD has flown more than 175 incident-related missions using a variety of DJI’s platforms, including the Matrice 200 Series, Matrice 600 Series, and Phantom 4 Pro UAS. The UAS are equipped with visual and thermal imaging cameras that provide real-time video and data transmission to incident commanders.

DJI’s UAS technology will continue to be used for a variety of purposes including hot-spot identification and aerial mapping to help manage wildfire response, as well as incident response for quick water rescues, hazmat operations, and urban search and rescue missions.

“We are excited about today’s partnership with DJI because it gives the Department access to cutting edge developments from the world’s leading provider of drone technology, such as drones equipped with thermal cameras that will help give incident commanders a real-time birds-eye perspective,” says LAFD Battalion Chief Richard Fields.

“Combining advanced drone technology with new software tools will help bridge the gap between helicopters and firefighters on the ground, allowing us to address life-threatening situations faster and more effectively than ever before.”