Rangitīkei Civil Defence, Rural Fire Force fundraising for new drone

An example of the an image captured by a drone during a large fire. Photo / Supplied

After assisting in search and rescue operations, fire investigations, and even the scene of a homicide, the Rangitīkei Civil Defence Response Team and Rural Fire Force are looking to purchase a new drone.

Used by the organisation for a variety of different purposes, drones are a fundamental tool in modern-day operations according to Rangitīkei Emergency Management Officer Paul Chaffe.

"Sometimes you could see the smoke but couldn't see the fire. Other times you can see the smoke, see the fire but couldn't see what was at risk," he said.

"That's just an example of what they're used for. It's a very wide variety of uses."

The organisation has used drones since 2014 to assist emergency services in some high-profile operations across not only the Rangitīkei but the Whanganui, Manawatu and Horowhenua areas as well, including the search for Kevin Hartley in 2018, and the recent successful search for two missing swimmers near Vinegar Hill.

The drone was also used in the 2016 Cloverlea Siege in Palmerston North to attempt to see areas a helicopter couldn't reach.

The group currently owns a DJI drone with much lower-resolution thermal imaging and photography as well as shorter battery life than the one they want to upgrade to.

It would cost about $35,000 and the group are hoping to raise the funds from donations by businesses, as well as a Givealittle page.

"It's a top-spec, fully commercial, professional airframe carrying very high-spec photography, videography and thermography.

"These aren't toys. It's seriously professional equipment."

Chaffe said that the drone has a flight time of about 55 minutes and will be a substantial upgrade on the current machine.

"Each battery is worth about $1000 apiece, and I think this thing takes two batteries. It's a serious piece of equipment."

Chaffe added that the group receives minimal funding for equipment such as a drone.

"The group of volunteers does receive some funding from council, but that pays for their PPE and things like that. We don't charge for the drone, it's free to the emergency services and the public."

You can donate to the campaign by clicking here.