Long Beach To Fly High With $15,000 Skydio X2 Thermal Drone

Eyeing an upgrade to their Search and Rescue operations, the City of Long Beach, New Jersey, has applied for a grant to secure an unmanned aircraft system, specifically a $15,000 Skydio X2 Thermal drone. Triggered by the community’s concerns over a month ago, Ward 6 Alderman Pete McGoey became a vocal advocate for this technological advancement.

The search and rescue drone promises impressive capabilities. It’s designed to scan 30 to 60 acres of terrain within 20 minutes and can enter buildings to locate individuals who may be trapped or barricaded. It’s also equipped to detect fires, contributing to the city’s firefighting efforts.

As neighboring Picayune has already integrated drones into its safety measures, Long Beach is eager to do the same.

McGoey emphasized the timeliness of the move, saying, “Obviously, we both know that hurricane season is upon us. Unfortunately, as I stated in the meeting last night, it’s not a matter of if, but it’s a matter of when…