CDA Adopts Drones for Firefighting in High-Rise Buildings

The CDA is currently investigating the use of drone technology for firefighting operations, acknowledging its capacity to provide real-time situational awareness, map fire boundaries, and identify hot spots, particularly in high-rise buildings.

In October of the previous year, the Ministry of Science and Technology issued firefighting regulations, mandating federal and provincial governments, along with public and private organizations, to adopt the Fire Safety Provisions of 2016.

Currently, the civic agency owns 25 fire tenders and four snorkels. However, the snorkels have limited reach and are not well-suited for emergencies in high-rise buildings.

Drone technology is already being employed in Islamabad for various purposes, including surveillance in hiking trails and sensitive areas, utilizing high-definition cameras with thermal imaging capabilities.

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In many developed countries, firefighting drones are equipped with cameras housing various sensors that can detect heat from fires on the landscape, even during nighttime and through smoke. The captured images are used to update maps and assist in firefighting efforts.

Firefighting in high-rise buildings poses challenges in Islamabad due to deficiencies in fire extinguishing equipment and tactics, particularly for tall structures.

Considering the potential advantages of drone technology in firefighting, such as improved situational awareness and efficient fire mapping, the civic agency is actively assessing its feasibility and application.

Embracing drone technology in firefighting could significantly enhance emergency response and safety measures, especially in dealing with incidents in high-rise buildings as technology continues to advance.