VIDEO: When emergencies strike in the Northview area, the Plainfield Township Fire Department has an advantage that most departments lack: eyes in the sky.
The department’s drone team represents one of Michigan’s first fire-based unmanned aircraft programs, featuring eight FAA-licensed pilots with thermal imaging capabilities that have revolutionized how they respond to emergencies from structure fires to water rescues.
“Today we are a multi-functioning team,” said Fire Chief Kyle Svoboda. “We have eight pilots that are FAA licensed, two more that are getting onboarded. And we’re able to be deployed across the state, and sometimes could be across the country.”
The program began in 2021 when a department member approached leadership about starting a drone initiative. After researching programs across Michigan and conducting a needs assessment, the department secured funding through the Comstock Park Downtown Development Authority for a larger drone equipped with thermal imaging and range-finding capabilities.
