New drones used in rescue efforts

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A new type of life-saving equipment is being used by the Columbus Fire Department when responding to certain types of rescue calls.

The department’s unmanned aerial vehicles, better known as drones, were deployed about three weeks ago when a 9-year-old Taylorsville girl was reported missing near her school. The drones, which provide aerial images, also have thermal-imaging capability — which allow them to find humans even in low-light or no-light conditions.

In the Taylorsville missing-persons incident, the drones complemented a ground five-hour search, which ended when in a sheriff’s department deputy found the girl — safe — lying in bushes shortly after midnight near the school.

Please read Saturday’s edition of The Republic for more details.