Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Daniel T. Bellville, Director, Department of Emergency Management
Jonathan Cox, Deputy Chief, Fire Department (CAL FIRE)
Nicholas Calderon, Director, Parks Department
Subject: Autonomous Aerial System with Fire Suppression Capabilities Pilot Project
RECOMMENDATION:
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Accept staff report and provide direction to the Department of Emergency Management, San Mateo County Fire Department and County Parks on applying for a grant to pilot an autonomous aerial system capable of extinguishing a fire.
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BACKGROUND:
Since the 2020 CZU Lighting Complex several County agencies have been working cooperatively on new and innovative ways to more rapidly contain wildfires when they break out in the remote areas of the County. Recently, Department heads have been working to establish a pilot project to attempt to have autonomous unmanned aerial systems, commonly known as drones, reliably fly to a reported location and take suppression action. Over the past year, a pilot project framework has been developed with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and Rain Industries creating the fiscally sponsored Rain Project housed at the Windward Fund.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation was established to create positive outcomes for future generations. In pursuit of that vision, they focus on fostering path-breaking scientific discoveries, environmental conservation, patient care improvements and preservation of the special character of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Rain Industries is a company formed with the mission to develop a system to contain wildfires within 10 minutes of ignition using a network of autonomous aircraft installed in a grid throughout high risk regions. The intent of the Rain System is when an ignition is detected, all aircraft within range will swarm to the ignition coordinates to contain the ignition. The Rain MK2 is a 7.5 foot ta...
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