Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has become one of the first services in the UK to add a firefighting robot to its armament of equipment.
The robot will be used to protect firefighters and reduce the impact of an incident on the local community.
It will be sent to large incidents, including fires at industrial and commercial sites, which are particularly difficult environments, which could help give firefighters a clearer understanding of what they are dealing with.
This is is facilitated by the robot’s ability to record video and its use of thermal imaging technology that check where hotspots are.
Additionally, it uses audio to ‘speak’ to people, gives instructions, and can help to remove people from certain areas with a stretcher.
The robot is capable of spraying up to 2,000 litres water a minute using a hose.
Mark Gosling, group manager at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is a really exciting addition for us. We’re always developing new tactics, and we want to have the best resources at incidents.
“There are three main reasons why we’ve introduced it into the service and that is keeping firefighters safe, reducing the number of resources at an incident and limiting the amount of time we’re there.
“This robot drives our service forward in our ability to help keep firefighters safe and to provide the best response we can.”
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