OSU-Tulsa works with Tulsa Fire Department on drone first responders
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Media Contact: Page Mindedahl | Communications Specialist | 405-744-9782 | page.mindedahl@okstate.edu
Flames spread through the inside of a building, the heat melting metal, burning through wood, creating an unsafe environment for anyone to walk through.
Yet firefighters have been going into those collapsing buildings for decades, putting their lives on the line to save others. But what if there was a way to save people without also risking firefighters’ lives?
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa recently assisted the Tulsa Fire Department in the “Drones as First Responder” project, a breakthrough in drone application.
Tulsa Fire successfully responded to and managed a complex first-responder scenario using Airwise technologies remotely without an operator on-site.
Airwise is a Tulsa-based company that offers the industry's first truly integrated drone, payload and software system that's both scalable and seamless. The company negotiated a special waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration, allowing firefighters to pilot drones and operate under enhanced situational awareness provided by their common operating picture framework.
“The drone launched from that location gave us perspective on the smoke plume and runoff into the river from a chemical fire we were fighting in West Tulsa,” said Gabriel Graveline, TFD drone operator and EMS officer.
Through the LaunchPad Center for Advanced Air Mobility at OSU-Tulsa, OSU will be assisting with future drone operations with the TFD to become a model for departments nationwide.
“This collaboration highlights how OSU’s research and expertise are advancing the integration of drones as a vital tool for first responders,” said Dr. Jamey Jacob, executive director for OSU’s Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education. “By working with the Tulsa Fire Department and leveraging innovative technologies, we are enhancing safety for firefighters while improving their ability to protect the public in critical situations.”
“LaunchPad’s 'Drones as First Responder' project exemplifies our land-grant commitment to develop cutting-edge solutions that serve communities and support life-saving missions. Together, we are setting a model for how drones can transform emergency response nationwide.”
In November, the City of Tulsa released a Blue Ribbon Commission report aiming to make Tulsa the world's drone capital. The commission was established in 2023 due to widespread support and major investment in the industry’s growth.
Building on Tulsa's strong aerospace legacy, a coalition of regional partners — including higher education institutions, tribal nations, economic development organizations and industry leaders — secured over $215 million to boost the city's tech economy with a focus on advanced air mobility.
This investment has since grown to nearly $250 million, earning Tulsa recognition as a national Tech Hub.
“Working together will make sure that the citizens of Oklahoma receive the most efficient and timely response,” Graveline said. “Our partnership with OSU Launchpad and OSU Fire Service is in its infancy, but much can be done when collaboration becomes a priority.”