PASTRANA, LEYTE — The Bureau of Fire Protection Region 8 (BFP R8) continues to embrace modern technology to bolster its disaster response mechanisms. Two elite personnel from the BFP R8 Special Rescue Force (SRF) successfully completed an intensive two-day DJI Drone Technology Seminar and Practical Workshop held from October 8 to 9, 2026, at Casa Marcos Resort and Villas in Barangay Sapsap, Pastrana, Leyte.
Integrating Aerial Tech Into Disaster Management
Organized by Cyrian Engineering and Surveying Services, the specialized training focused on leveraging modern unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to transform emergency response and public safety operations.
The two-day session combined theoretical instruction with hands-on practical exercises. SRF personnel underwent rigorous training covering drone flight operations, precise flight planning, geospatial mapping, aviation safety compliance, and critical public safety applications—including rapid aerial assessment during calamities, search and rescue support in hard-to-reach terrain, and real-time hazard identification during active emergencies.
Driving Technological Innovation In Regional Rescue
The personnel participated under the leadership and supervision of FCINSP Vic Leonel L. Macasil, Chief of the Special Rescue Force, alongside FINSP Barry James J. Aurea, Acting Rescue Company Commander.
Local fire officials emphasized that incorporating aerial intelligence into standard operating procedures greatly expands situational awareness while minimizing risks to first responders. BFP Region 8's active participation in technical workshops underscores its ongoing commitment to enhancing emergency capabilities through continuous personnel development and modern technological innovation across Eastern Visayas.
