South Wales launches advanced drone technology to boost high-rise safety

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has launched a new campaign to strengthen fire safety in high-rise buildings, encouraging residents to be prepared, stay informed and take simple actions that could save lives.

Placing firefighters and control room staff at the heart of the campaign, SWFRS is sharing real insight and advice from the people who respond to emergencies every day – helping to build trust, confidence and understanding within communities across South Wales – with a strong message to residents of high-rise premises to ‘Be ready. Stay safe.’

The campaign comes as fire and rescue services across Wales continue to implement learning from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, alongside the Welsh government’s joint fire and rescue services response (JFC) to recommendation 31. This includes a renewed focus on improving communication with residents, strengthening situational awareness during incidents, and ensuring people living in high-rise buildings feel informed, supported and safe.

As part of its wider digital transformation programme,  SWFRS has also introduced detailed digital building plans for every high-rise residential building across the region, accessible instantly by crews through mobile data terminals on fire appliances. These plans provide real-time information on building layouts, escape routes and key fire safety systems, giving firefighters and control room staff a clearer operational picture when responding to incidents. This data-driven approach strengthens situational awareness and supports faster, safer decision-making.

As part of this commitment, SWFRS is among the first fire and rescue services in the UK to trial a new, advanced drone designed to support incident response, particularly in high-rise environments.

The drone is one of the most sophisticated of its kind and significantly enhances both firefighter safety and public protection. It features a multi-lingual speaker system capable of delivering evacuation messages in five different languages, powerful searchlights for night-time operations, a thermal imaging camera, and an onboard AI engine that can identify human presence. Crucially, it can livestream footage directly to fire control, giving operators and incident commanders a real-time view of unfolding incidents – addressing a key learning point identified in the Grenfell Inquiry.

The technology has already been utilised at incidents attended by the Service, including large-scale wildfires, helping crews build a clearer operational picture while reducing risk.

Firefighter and drone operator Kev Dite said: “When we arrive at an incident, every second matters. Having real-time aerial footage and the ability to communicate directly with control room operators – letting them see what we can see from above – gives us a huge advantage. It helps us make faster, safer decisions and ultimately protect more lives.”

A control room operator added: “In control, we’re often the first point of contact for people experiencing an emergency. Being able to see what’s happening as crews see it makes a real difference. It means we can give clearer, more informed guidance, send the right resources to the right locations, and give more reassurance to residents when they need it most.”

SWFRS responds to an average of around 16 fires in high-rise buildings each year. The most common causes include cooking incidents, faults in electrical equipment or domestic appliances, and smoking-related fires – often linked to the careless disposal of materials. These incidents highlight how everyday actions can have serious consequences if safety is not considered.

Alongside operational response improvements, SWFRS continues to work closely with partners through the Welsh building safety programme. Specialist high-rise and business fire safety teams are collaborating with local authorities, housing providers, and businesses to better understand buildings, strengthen fire safety measures, and support safer communities.

The campaign also highlights the vital role residents play in keeping themselves and others safe. SWFRS is encouraging people living in high-rise buildings to have a clear personal evacuation plan and keep communal areas and escape routes free from clutter.

Group manager Jason Lamport, high-rise safety team at SWFRS, said: “We want residents to feel confident, informed and prepared. Following the Grenfell Inquiry and the Welsh Government’s response, we have strengthened how we communicate, how we respond, and how we work with partners to improve safety in high-rise buildings.

“This campaign is about giving people the knowledge they need before an emergency happens, while also showing the professionalism, care, and innovation our crews bring every single day.”

FIRE Magazine

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