NewsLocal News

Actions

Bozeman fire, police departments look to purchase drones for investigations

Posted at 1:38 PM, Jul 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-03 15:38:56-04

The agencies that work to save lives and protect the law in Bozeman are planning on adding a new set of eyes to the job — except these eyes are in the sky.

The Bozeman Fire Department and Police Department are eyeing new drone technology, giving them an added edge to different kinds of crime scenes or different ways to safely fight fires.

Sergeant Travis Munter says the cost would normally be around $4,500 with the type of technology they would need, including thermal imaging.

But thanks to an anonymous donor, they won’t have to worry about that.

“This piece of equipment is really used for public safety, not just for the police department so, absolutely, the fire department is able to use a tool like this,” Sgt. Munter says. “I’m able to plug right into the command vehicle and they can see on a 42-inch TV exactly what’s seen from the air.” 

Both departments say the new drone will be ordered soon and held an open house Tuesday evening at the Bozeman Public Library to tell the public more about what they are looking for.