FDNY announces brush fire task force

November 18, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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CITYWIDE – FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker on Sunday announced the creation of a Brush Fire Task Force, comprised of fire marshals, fire inspectors and tactical drone units, in response to historically high numbers of brush fires. The task force will help ensure effective responses, investigate the causes and origins, and enhance data and information sharing.

Drones will be used in at-risk areas, conducting pre-fire surveillance on high fuel load regions and environmental conditions, as well as during fires to provide real-time data and afterwards to assess damage. Ground-based personnel will gather intelligence on wind patterns, topography and fire-prone areas; assess high-risk locations; interpret data and physical evidence to investigate fire origins and behaviors; and evaluate homes for fire safety compliance. The department has trained ground personnel in basic drone operation and drone operators in fire behavior, to help both groups gain a fuller understanding of fire conditions.

The task force will also focus on clear internal communications and coordination with outside agencies focused on brush fires, as well as on public education. Members of the task force will soon begin conducting training exercises to simulate brush fire scenarios.

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