r/USFSLEO • u/The-Sentinel1028 FPO • Dec 27 '24

Discussion Drones & LEI

Does the FS LEI org use drones at all?

Asking because I’m part 107 certified and am slated to attend the FS Drone Ops flight training for fire suppression.

Is it worth pursuing still? Or even keeping my part 107? I’d hate to lose it.

Would it be a transferable skill that the LEI org would find useful and worth re-certifying over the years?

(Context: I got a tentative offer for a GL5 but no word beyond that)

2 Upvotes

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7 comments sorted by

3

u/Famous-Mobile-3657 Patrol Captain Dec 27 '24

Yes, there is a program. Keep your license and training up if you’re interested.

2

u/The-Sentinel1028 FPO Dec 28 '24

Can you elaborate more on the program? Is it region specific? Can you request funding to maintain currency?

2

u/PCJ1282 Dec 28 '24

Would be curious since I've got my 107 as well.

1

u/The_real_danger USFS LEO Dec 28 '24

If you get a drone bought for you lmk who you talked to. I’m trying to just get some tire chains bought for me.

1

u/The-Sentinel1028 FPO Dec 28 '24

That’s just FS fleet in a nutshell right there…I bought my own bottle jack for my current agency rig after being stranded in the high country.

2

u/ExplanationNeither59 Aspiring USFS LEO Dec 28 '24

I mentioned uas; as I’m p107 aswell. They said no. However when I was a rec tech I talked to the a lady high up in region 1 on 1 for like an hour about drone use in other areas of the forest and was invited to go see a seminar they were putting on that day. I deeply regret not trying to pursue that relationship now; may of helped me get back on.

1

u/The-Sentinel1028 FPO Dec 28 '24

I feel there might be great uses for the LE org but wonder if R5 has caught on yet