The Bay Minette Fire Department has a new tool thanks to a donation. The department was one of nine entities to receive a drone kit through the National Public Safety Drone Donation Program. The drone was donated through AUTEL Robotics. Bay Minette Fire Department now has four FAA 107 licensed drone pilots and will plan to add four 4 more in the coming year to ensure that each shift has at least two pilots available. Fire Chief Mike Minchew said the drone will be used for a number of missions within the department and will provide real-time data and photos of the layout of buildings when needed during emergencies. The drone will also be used on Hazardous Materials calls to help identify materials involved, wildland fires, missing persons cases and fire scene investigations.