Background
Communication is a key aspect in effective planning and controlling of all emergencies. MFB, like most fire and emergency services, has mainly relied on voice communication in emergencies. Rapid technological advances provide both an opportunity and a challenge for emergency services to enhance communication, situational awareness and safety.

The Cyberquad UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is a compact, hovering, UAV, for various remote airborne sensing and imaging applications. The Cyberquad can fly into almost every emergency incident and provide live photos and video footage that can be viewed by the pilot and other personnel in the vicinity on a portable monitor. Alternatively personnel can receive the same images by wearing remote arm band monitors. Footage can be used by the Incident Management Team (IMT) as a decision support tool.

MFB has purchased two UAVs. It is the first fire service in Australia to attempt to use and evaluate this technology. This presentation will outline the processes and challenges of procuring and evaluating bringing the UAVs into service.

Objectives
The Cyberquad's main uses in MFB will be for intelligence gathering in a range of different scenarios including fire, Hazmat, USAR, HART and marine response. It will be used in post incident analysis and debriefs, fire investigation, media productions, and to help facilitate training drills. The Cyberquad also has the capacity to be adapted to undertake air monitoring, and thermal imaging functions.

Methods
The processes of acquiring, evaluating and operationalising the UAV has involved gaining support from MFB senior management; developing investment rationale, a business case and a comparative risk assessment; establishment and training of a special team; and extensive work to bring the UAV into operation, such as negotiating its placement on the MFB Control Unit.

Conclusion
The Cyberquad project is a case study of how MFB is seeking to enhance its operational capabilities through the use of cutting edge technologies.