City News Scottsdale Fire Drone Program Lifts Off THE SCOTTSDALE FIRE DEPARTMENT (SFD) HAS RECENTLY DEPLOYED THREE SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS, ALSO KNOWN AS DRONES, IN THE THREE BATTALIONS IN THE CITY AND AN ADDITIONAL UNIT FOR TECHNICAL RESCUE, AFTER 14 INDIVIDUALS COMPLETED THEIR FAA CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. The program provides the department with enhanced service delivery capability. The drones provide reconnaissance of fire emergency
scenes with significantly decreased personnel risk. Drone pilots may also assist in incidents in other jurisdictions. This aerial system gives members of public safety a distinct advantage when responding to various emergent situations and large-scale events. The system is equipped with thermal imaging that increases the speed of detecting heat sources in fire situations, and thereby decreases the danger to the public and the responding SFD personnel. Thermal technology is also utilized in hazmat situations to aid in the detection
of hazards and provides critical information to public safety members. Drones are also a valuable tool in the location of injured or lost hikers on the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve and other hiking areas. They are used to increase the speed at which the injured or lost hikers are located. This technology is also very effective in providing aerial views for brush fires, water rescues and technical rescue (like rope/trench/palm tree). The critical information can be securely transmitted in real-time to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as necessary.
Nominations Now Open for the Spirit of Scottsdale Awards DO YOU KNOW A PERSON OR BUSINESS THAT EMBODIES SCOTTSDALE SPIRIT? Scottsdale’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission wants to showcase the people and organizations that embody the “Spirit of Scottsdale.” This award recognizes residents and organizations/ businesses that help to strengthen and build Scottsdale’s community through their commitment to and involvement in neighborhoods. This year, it is especially important to highlight those that have gone above and beyond to uplift Scottsdale’s residents and neighborhoods during the global pandemic, according to the city.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER THOSE INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT: • Have active years of service/involvement in strengthening neighborhood identity; • Champion community dialogue to produce constructive recommendations/solutions that address the dynamic need(s) of a neighborhood; • Provide unique contributions of time, effort, skills, and/or financial resources to a neighborhood. Nominations are being accepted now through December 31. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, the 2019 nominees will be rolled into the current award cycle with the award recipients being recognized at a spring 2021 Scottsdale City Council meeting.
4 • November 2020 • THE SCOTTSDALE STANDARD
The 2018 Organization Award Winner was Goldwater Brewing and the Individual Winner was Ron Roth, a Scottsdale volunteer. “When Ron Roth made the leap into retirement, he decided to get involved with Operation Fix It,” according to the City. “In an average month, Ron visits 25 single family properties and contributes 85 hours of his personal time to serving our seniors.” To nominate a person or organization, visit scottsdaleaz.gov/citizen-service/spirit-awards. Do you have specific questions? Contact Brandon McMahon, associate planner, at bmcmahon@ scottsdaleaz.gov.
myhyperlocalnews.com
