To support the national push for drone industry development and encourage broader domestic applications, Taichung's Fire Bureau has embraced drone technology for a variety of emergency operations—ranging from disaster relief and cemetery fire inspections to water rescue missions. The Fire Bureau currently has 28 drones, distributed among its rescue units and the Volunteer Drone Rescue Team. A total of 132 firefighters and police officers have obtained certified drone remote pilot licenses from the Civil Aviation Administration, along with 12 certified drone operators in the Volunteer Drone Rescue Team. United in their mission, these teams are fully committed to disaster response efforts and to safeguarding public safety.
According to the Fire Bureau, the latest drones are lightweight and capable of swiftly relaying live footage from disaster scenes. These drones are equipped with infrared thermal imaging and payload drop functions. The thermal imaging helps detect high-temperature areas and temperature differences at disaster sites, giving commanders critical insights for real-time decision-making. Meanwhile, the payload drop system can be used during earthquake disasters, enabling the air-drop of essential supplies and equipment to areas isolated by road damage.
Additionally, the Fire Bureau has also procured five AI-powered drones, which have proven effective in both enforcement and rescue efforts. These drones have already been used to patrol cemeteries for fire violations, leading to 19 cases being identified and addressed this year alone—marking a significant improvement in fire prevention. In water rescue scenarios, the drones have been instrumental in quickly locating drowning victims and reducing rescue times. Most recently, during the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi gas explosion, drones with thermal imaging were deployed to monitor high-temperature zones from a safe distance, giving rescue teams better situational awareness and boosting operational efficiency.
Firefighters have also taken the initiative to build custom FPV drones for use in fire rescues—marking a major step forward. Designed to be small and highly maneuverable, these drones can traverse through narrow spaces and use brushless motors to minimize spark risk. They provide real-time, first-person visuals to the command center, assisting commanders in understanding the fire scene and formulating rescue strategies. Not only do these drones boost the success rate of rescues, but they also reduce the need for firefighters to enter high-risk areas. This groundbreaking approach to tech-assisted disaster response even won the National Fire Agency’s Fire Bureau Phoenix Cup - Firefighting Invention and Design Competition last year.
The Fire Bureau plans to continue expanding its drone capabilities this year, such as acquiring portable drones suited for complex terrains, supported by central government subsidies. These drones will be deployed in various disaster scenarios, including mountain rescues, coastal search missions, large earthquakes, and forest fires. In addition, the bureau will conduct professional training for certification, while also establishing a system for managing search and rescue imagery. With an additional investment of 4.75 million NTD this year, the bureau aims to further enhance the role of drones in disaster relief, pushing toward a safer and more efficient tech-driven approach to emergency response.