Tuscany’s Firefighters Expand Drone Use for Search and Emergency Operations

The Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco in Tuscany are steadily expanding the operational use of drones, both through new equipment and through specialised training for their crews. The latest developments were showcased during a recent multi-day training session held at the Santa Barbara thermoelectric power plant in Cavriglia, an industrial site that allowed realistic simulations.

The focus was not only on flying skills, but on how drones are integrated into real emergency scenarios. Tuscan fire brigades are now using drones equipped with advanced sensors and software to support searches for missing people, assess risk areas and monitor complex environments that are difficult or unsafe to reach from the ground.

A key innovation is the use of the Lifeseeker system, installed on professional drones such as the DJI Matrice 300. The device can help locate a missing person’s mobile phone by simulating a mobile radio cell, using information provided by telecom operators. This capability is particularly valuable in searches for hikers, elderly people or victims of accidents in rural or mountainous areas.

Another major development is the adoption of tethered drones, connected to a ground power supply by cable. This system allows drones weighing up to 6 kg and carrying high-resolution cameras to remain airborne for many hours, transmitting stable images from above. The technology is especially useful for prolonged operations over urban areas, industrial plants or disaster sites, where continuous aerial monitoring is needed within controlled safety zones.

During the training, firefighters also worked with cloud-based mission management platforms, which allow teams to plan flights, control cameras remotely and share live video feeds with command centres. This approach makes it possible to coordinate multiple crews at the same time, improving decision-making during emergencies.

According to the fire service, the investment in training is essential because videos and live images captured by drones are increasingly used during real operations, both to guide rescuers on the ground and to document situations in real time. For residents and visitors in Tuscany, this means faster searches, better situational awareness and more targeted rescue efforts when emergencies occur.

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