In order to increase our effectiveness and carry out valuable fire planning, the Buncombe Creek Volunteer Fire Department will be gathering information about our fire district properties that could present challenges and possible hazards when accessing the properties for fire and EMR responses. Part of that information gathering will include flying a small unmanned aircraft system, or drone, over certain areas of the fire district to take pictures and create 3D models of specific areas. This will typically be areas of greater population density or where hazards are more likely to be present. The pictures will be used by BCVFD solely for the purpose of advanced fire planning and training.
The BCVFD district is the area from Shay Road, starting at Shay Cut Off going down to the lake at Arrowhead Point, west to the Buncombe Creek arm of Lake Texoma and east of Shay Road for about one-half to a three-quarter of a mile.
The drone flights are planned for February 2020 but are dependent upon acceptable weather conditions, so if there are not enough good weather days in February, the flights may carry over into March. The drone flights will be preprogrammed to provide the optimal coverage of the areas where it is taking photographs, so it may appear to go back and forth in a zigzag pattern. Flights are planned to be from 100-200 feet above ground or above nearby structures but may be higher if safety dictates. The sound produced from the drone is often confused with a swarm of bees, so if you are outside during a flight, you may notice a sound overhead. The camera will be facing directly down, so it will not be looking into any windows. If any lower altitude flights or different angles are required, we will attempt to get permission of the landowner prior to the flight.
The drone performing the fly overs will be operated by ONSSI Drone Services, owned and operated by John Callaway, who is also a firefighter with the BCVFD. You may contact him at onssi.drone@ gmail.com for any questions specific to the drone operations. If you have any other questions or concerns about the flights, their purposes or the use of the pictures, you may contact BDVFD Board President Victor Jefferson at 580-565-2209.