The Farmington Fire Department is a crucial component of emergency response in Davis County, Utah! With a diverse and challenging geographical area to cover, including mountainous wildlands, rugged terrain, a large section of Interstate I-15, Legacy Highway, and the West End corridor, the department faces unique challenges in responding to emergencies. Additionally, the department is responsible for overseeing the safety of two of Utah’s largest amusement parks, Lagoon Amusement Park and Cherry Hills, as well as large areas of mountains and canyons for search and rescue, Utah’s Bird Refuge, and extensive wetlands. Furthermore, the Farmington Fire Department is part of the Davis County Fire Investigation Team and provides automatic aid to neighboring cities, including three oil refinery plants and Hill Air Force Base, which flight path for fighter aircraft directly over our city and has and will have downed aircraft. Other areas of concern include Farmington Pond, which hosts ice fishing and water sports, large amounts of rivers and streams, densely packed population centers, and the Utah Front Runner station, which experiences large amounts of commuter traffic.

Given these challenges and responsibilities, the Farmington Fire Department is in need of drone technology to enhance its emergency response capabilities. This document outlines the specific reasons why the Farmington Fire Department needs a drone grant and drones, focusing on the benefits of the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced and DJI Matrice 30 Series drones equipped with thermal and zoom dual-cameras, spotlight, and loudspeaker attachments for search and rescue, firefighting, inspection, and other emergency response tasks.

I. Geographical Challenges and Emergency Response Needs

A. Mountain Wildland, Hiking, and Forest Areas

The Farmington Fire Department must navigate through rugged mountain terrain, and popular hiking areas.
Drones equipped with thermal imaging can help locate lost or injured individuals in these challenging environments.
Drones on a wildland fire can significantly enhance firefighting efforts by providing increased situational awareness, early detection and monitoring, improved safety for personnel, efficient resource allocation, enhanced communication, evidence collection, cost-effectiveness, and reduced environmental impact.
B. Interstate I-15, Legacy Highway, and West End Corridor

The department oversees a large section of Interstate I-15, Legacy Highway, and the West End corridor, which are prone to accidents and emergencies.
Drones can assist in traffic management, accident scene assessment, and providing critical information to first responders.
C. Amusement Parks

Lagoon Amusement Park and Cherry Hills are among Utah’s largest amusement parks, attracting large crowds daily.
Drones can be used for crowd monitoring, emergency response coordination, and providing aerial views of the parks for situational awareness.
II. Search and Rescue Operations

A. Large Areas of Search and Rescue

The Farmington Fire Department is responsible for search and rescue operations in large, often remote areas.
Drones equipped with thermal imaging and zoom capabilities can aid in locating missing persons, especially in challenging terrain and low-light conditions.
B. Utah’s Bird Refuge, Wetlands, and Waterways

The department must navigate through Utah’s Bird Refuge, extensive wetlands, and numerous rivers and streams.
Drones can provide aerial surveillance and assist in locating individuals in these vast and challenging environments.
III. Fire Investigation and Automatic Aid

A. Davis County Fire Investigation Team

The Farmington Fire Department is part of the Davis County Fire Investigation Team, tasked with determining the cause of fires.
Drones can provide aerial views of fire scenes, aiding in the investigation process.
B. Automatic Aid with Neighboring Cities

The department provides automatic aid to neighboring cities, including three oil refinery plants and Hill Air Force Base.
Drones can assist in assessing emergencies at these facilities and provide critical information to responders.
IV. Benefits of the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced and DJI Matrice 30 Series Drones

A. DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced

Compact and versatile drone suitable for various emergency response scenarios.
Equipped with thermal and zoom dual-camera, spotlight, and loudspeaker attachments, ideal for search and rescue, firefighting, and inspection tasks.
B. DJI Matrice 30 Series

Offers advanced thermal imaging capabilities and incredible zoom camera for detailed aerial inspections and surveillance.
Provides enhanced situational awareness and operational effectiveness in complex environments.
V. Conclusion

The Farmington Fire Department’s need for drone technology is evident, given the diverse and challenging geographical area it serves. The acquisition of the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced and DJI Matrice 30 Series drones through a grant would greatly improve the department’s ability to respond to emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of its community members. By investing in drone technology, the Farmington Fire Department is taking a proactive approach to enhancing emergency response capabilities and addressing the unique challenges it faces.