YULAN, NY — Yulan Fire Department Chief Tim Schadt has announced the department's acquisition of a drone to enhance its emergency response capabilities. 

The DJI Matrice 30T drone with thermal imaging capability, wide angle view, and 200x times zoom was placed in service on July 11, 2025. The drone is also outfitted with obstacle avoidance capability and is able to fly in adverse weather conditions. Purchased from Hudson Valley Drones, the tool will help the volunteer first responders in a myriad of situations and calls for service that they respond to.

Keith Perry, who led the 14-hour drone class and brokered the device indicated that it is an “incredible tool for first responders to leverage. They can do with this what historically they could only do through manned aircraft. This is more accessible and safer to assist in situations like search and rescue.”

The purchase of the drone, the certification class, and the certification test required by the FAA to operate a drone was funded through a TC Energy Grant of $19,650.00 and a Millennium grant of $10,000. The “Build Strong” program includes grants administered for safety, through which the funds were dispersed. 

“TC Energy has a partnership with local fire departments. In the event of an emergency, Yulan Fire Department will be our first responders. The YFD will liaison with TC Energy to make sure they are prepared for whatever comes. This drone is not a tool for TC Energy, this is a tool for the community in which we operate” remarked Jonathan Arron, Operations Manager from Millennium East-TC Energy.

He added, “Local volunteer fire departments get neglected. We look to spread the available funds within our footprint.”

Chief Tim Schadt explained, “This equipment enhances our ability to respond to the types of calls we typically see. We can use it for search and rescue, water rescue on the river or lakes, it has a thermal imaging camera to locate hot spots in a fire and has a hook to drop a life jacket or a portable radio to communicate with someone. The drone also has a speaker for announcements and can go up to nine miles and fly in up to 30 mph winds.”  

The Yulan Fire Department boasts seven drone pilots and more than five qualified visual observers. Both completed the 14-hour course, and the drone pilots passed a rigorous FAA test.  

To support both general communication needs and the drone operations, YFD utilized these grant funds to also purchase Starlink satellite internet connections for the Chief and the utility vehicle. This ensures that no matter where they are in the varied topography of the fire district, they have wireless capabilities.

The Yulan Fire Department, Inc. is a volunteer department serving the Town of Highland since 1946 from the main firehouse in Yulan and support fire houses in Barryville and Eldred.