CANNON BEACH, Ore. -- A dramatic dog rescue on the Oregon coast has inspired a fire chief to start using drones.
The Cannon Beach Fire District is going to be adding a small drone to its search and rescue tool kit.
“It sounds futuristic to me,” said Cannon Beach Fire District Chief Matthew Benedict.
Benedict had been playing around with the idea of getting a drone, but then last Christmas he saw the need was urgent.
“That day they had been looking for the dog 16 hours,” he said.
A 2-year-old border collie was stranded on the side of a cliff. A friend with a drone offered to help with the search.
“He said do you want me to fly it. I said yes. And now the ball is rolling and we’re going to continue to use it.”
Benedict says the drone helped them pinpoint the dog’s exact location. Helping crews get to the scared and shaking animal.
“He launched the drone, found out where the dog was, then we called in the rescue team, and knew exactly where to put them over the edge to rescue the dog.”
The drone helped rescuers reunite the dog with owner, and Chief Benedicts mind was made up.
“This is up-and-coming. This is going to be the future of search and rescue.”
Benedict is working on getting his certification as a pilot before the drone can be fully operational for the Cannon Beach Fire District.