New technology assists firefighters, lifeguards with emergency rescues [Video]

ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) — Beachgoers stared at the newest piece of fire and lifeguard rescue equipment as it hovered above them.

“Everyone’s excited to use it,” Encinitas Fire Chief Josh Gordon said.

The equipment has a regular and thermal camera and a PA system, all in one.

The Encinitas Fire Department and Marine Safety Division received one larger drone and two smaller ones that the fire department will use on land and at sea.

According to Gordon, the equipment will allow firefighters to see where the fire is, which they usually do not necessarily see because of a hotspot.

“We have people that might be stranded in the water and need assistance. We can look for sharks if that is a sighting out there or something; we can go and determine if it’s a real shark or just a dolphin,” Gordon said.

Fire officials say that there have been several …