Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com: A new tool in the firefighting arsenal made its debut during a house fire in Orland Park on Wednesday morning, as the Orland Fire Protection District used a drone to assist in battling the blaze. The incident, which may have been caused by a lightning strike, occurred at a home in the 10800 block of West Scarlet Drive, where the homeowners were away. Neighbors reported the fire around 2:45 a.m., and by the time firefighters arrived, flames had already spread through the attic and roof of the 5,000-square-foot residence. Despite the extensive damage, no one was injured, according to officials. It took about an hour for crews to bring the fire under control, but this time, they also used a drone — a first-time live test of a technology they've been experimenting with for the past two months. "It's very new technology, but I see it being used more in the future," said Battalion Chief Mike Schofield. "The drone gives us an aerial view of how the fire is spreading, so we can direct our water more effectively." Battalion Chief Bill Bonnar noted that while drones have been marketed for firefighting for years, they were previously too large, heavy, and costly. "The cost and technology have improved significantly," he added. William Neumann, the fire district’s director of communications and drone operator, conducted a quick 360-degree scan of the property before joining the battalion chief in his vehicle. Using an iPad connected to the drone’s camera, both could monitor the situation in real time. "He had a bird’s-eye view of everything happening," Neumann explained. Before this incident, Neumann had only used the drone for training or simulations, having logged around 80 hours of flight time so far. Schofield called the operation a pilot program, but he said the results were promising. The drone provided critical visibility that helped firefighters understand the fire's origin and respond more efficiently. "We proved the benefit, now it's just a matter of coming up with guidelines and policies for use," Schofield said. The Federal Aviation Administration requires public entities like fire departments to obtain an authorization certificate to operate drones, though it doesn't track how many agencies apply for such permits. According to spokesperson Elizabeth Cory, the Orland Fire Protection District has not yet sought FAA approval but is in discussions with Naperville, which has already applied for permission. "This is a technology we're going to see used a lot more in the fire service moving forward," Schofield concluded. Thanks Chris, Dan, and Martin Hudeng Metal Materials Co., Ltd , https://www.hudengmetal.com