Lifeguards in Pompano Beach may soon have drones helping them make water rescues.
When it comes to emergencies, seconds matter. Pompano Beach is not looking to replace lifeguards, rather, city officials want to give them the best tools to help save a life. Enter drones.
“If a drone got there seconds ahead, and the person could grab the personal flotation device— that could make all the difference in the world,” said Chief John Jurgle of Pompano Beach Fire Rescue.
Firefighters and ocean rescue are now testing drone response times against lifeguards. Drones have the capabilities to get off the beach and into the water faster than lifeguards. The drones would launch in the air if there was someone in distress, and deliver a flotation device with the lifeguard following closely behind.
“Anything that we can do to enhance the ability for our people to save a life, whether it be on the ocean rescue side or on the fire rescue side, we get excited about,” said Chief Jurgle.
Firefighters say there is still more work to be done, and Pompano Beach agrees saying the drone project is still in the exploration phase. Firefighters are also exploring thermal energy technology to help recover drowning victims.
“We have had several successful tests and it is looking really good,” said Ben Richardson of Perfect View Aerial Media.
The cost of one drone is approximately $50,000. Firefighters say although they will continue looking, the possibilities are endless.
