Melbourne firefighters will be able to cut emergency response times by using remote-controlled aircraft to hover over fires and relay live images.
As part of a one-year trial, the MFB will use two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), which carry a camera into the air above an incident.
The aircraft can send high-quality images and thermal imaging back to a controller and help gather information for tactical decision making.
MFB commander Will Glenn said on Tuesday the technology will sharpen response times for units in critical incidents.
"If the trial is successful, UAVs could improve our ability to rapidly gather a more complete overview of an emergency situation with their rapid deployment, manoeuvrability and ability to provide real-time imagery to the incident management team," he said.
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The craft, which are owned and operated by MFB, have already been used in emergency situations.
One helped gather information when a truck driver fell from the Bolte Bridge in a horror smash in May, and another was used last December at a fire at a Ringwood recycling centre.
Mr Glenn said the devices will also allow management teams to locate and monitor the positions of their crews and resources.
"Currently, MFB's capacity to undertake aerial monitoring and intelligence gathering during an incident is via ladder platforms, which have a lower level observation height and do not have cameras, thermal imaging or plume analysis capability."
The program commenced on August 23.
