Ahead of Drones 2017: Accident and Investigation, we spoke to Chris Rainford, Watch Manager, Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service. Chris explains his role and involvement in drones, how important drones are for the emergency response services, where he sees the next big developments and what he is most looking forward to by attending.
Chris Rainford works for Lancashire fire and Rescue as their chief drone pilot, after recently retiring from Manchester Fire and Rescue, where he spent 30 years as an operational fire officer - including the last six years as their project lead on drone operations. He is the first NQE (National Qualified Entity), a CAA qualification which will allows him to deliver bespoke training courses specifically designed for the Emergency Services.
Chris has attended nearly 200 drone incidents with his last two brigades, gaining more experience of this kind of work than anyone else in the UK. It has led to invitations to deliver training all over Europe, as well as being asked to speak at the EU commission on the subject of disaster deployment for drones. In his free time, he enjoys competing in Ironman triathlon, a pastime which takes him all over the world.
Q: Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in drone technology?
Chris Rainford: I have been involved with drones since 2010 when I was asked to head up the Greater Manchester Fire Service’s UAV project. After many years of trying and a huge rollercoaster ride, I managed to bring an Emergency Services (ES) drone online in June 2015. I have since transferred to Lancashire FRS where I have been helping them achieve and exceed the same goal. I have attended almost 200 live blue light incidents with both counties drones, and am probably one of the most experienced Emergency Service pilots in the UK.
Q: What are you most looking forward to by attending and presenting at Drones 2017: Accident and Investigation?
CR: It would be nice to share some of our good and bad experiences with other like -minded individuals, whilst hopefully making some new contacts that can help LFRS with its operation. It will also be good to share the work we have started on creating bespoke CAA ratified ES pilot training courses.
Q: How important are drones for the emergency response services?
CR: They are hugely valuable for certain types of incident, especially in the area of safety management. I could cite literally scores of incidents that would support this statement, but I would rather wait for 21 February when I deliver my presentation. With regards to accident investigation, we have only just started doing this with the police on road accidents, but it is already proving a very time and money saving exercise.
Q: What do you think the next biggest developments in drone technology will be?
CR: Probably an efficient sense and avoid system to prevent horizontal collision, thus making it virtually impossible to crash into objects.
Chris Rainford will be speaking at Drones 2017: Accident and Investigation, the only event focused on the use of drones for accident and investigation purposes.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:
- The Defence Accident Investigation Branch and Air Accident Investigation Branch share details about their use of drone technology
- Hear about the national picture of drone development and use across the UK Police force from the National Police Chiefs Council
- The Ministry of Defence deliver an exclusive case study on the latest unmanned drone project with Airbus
- Discover insightful results from the European Emergency Number Association DJI Drone trial from the Copenhagen Fire Department
- Hear from leaders in drone use, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Team
For further information, visit the Drones 2017: Accident and Investigation event page.