IRIS Network (Integrated Real-time Incident Support) is a nonprofit organization that provides public safety and emergency response agencies access to a network of certified Part 107 pilots across Thurston and Pierce Counties.
Through IRIS, participating fire departments, search and rescue teams, sheriffs' offices, and other first responders gain access to thermal-capable drone support for Fire & Rescue operations, Search & Rescue missions, and disaster response incidents where UAS capabilities are practical and effective.
The network brings together agencies and pilots to provide real-time aerial situational awareness, mapping, overwatch, and other critical support—enhancing response effectiveness and safety without requiring any department to build or maintain its own UAS program.
Our mission is to strengthen community safety and resilience by supporting first responders in times of crisis and need.
THE RISE OF UAS PROGRAMS
IN PUBLIC SAFETY
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In recent years, thermal-equipped Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have become essential tools for public safety, integrating agile drones with advanced imaging to penetrate smoke, foliage, and darkness—capabilities unmatched by ground-based methods.
Per NFPA 2400 standards, these systems enable hotspot detection, fire behavior prediction, and enhanced situational awareness within the Incident Command System, reducing response times and improving decision-making.
DRONES ARE EXPENDABLE. YOUR TEAM IS NOT.
Affordability, replaceability, and rapid deployment make UAS ideal for high-risk environments. They deliver real-time aerial feeds directly to on-scene personnel and the Incident Command Post, supporting dynamic fire mapping, early threat detection, personnel accountability, and safer operations.
As wildfires and complex incidents increase, departments are turning to thermal UAS to augment ground crews, minimize human exposure, and maximize efficiency through technology-driven strategies.
WHY JOIN THE IRIS NETWORK?
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Every public safety agency should consider a UAS program—whether internally or through IRIS Network. IRIS provides an affordable alternative to building in-house programs.
Internal UAS programs offer direct control and customization, but come with high costs, dedicated staff needs, recurrent training, equipment maintenance, and navigating the complex world of regulatory compliance.
IRIS Network addresses both of these burdens by supplying UAS support through a network of Part 107 pilots with specialized training. By leveraging grant-based funding, UAS services are offered to public safety agencies at a significantly reduced cost without the overhead and maintenance.
IRIS Network's UAS operators apply an in-depth knowledge of the Navigable Airspace, the Federal Aviation Administration’s requirements for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and aviation-related weather, reducing the likelihood of costly accidents.
Key benefits include:
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Scalability and Flexibility: Access 24/7 on-call deployments without the need for dedicated personnel or equipment storage, allowing departments to scale services based on incident volume.
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Reduced Operational Risks: IRIS handles FAA Part 107 compliance, maintenance, and liability, freeing departments to focus on core firefighting duties.
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Enhanced Safety and Efficiency: UAS operations integrate seamlessly with ICS, delivering real-time data to mitigate risks—such as avoiding unnecessary ground exposures during search operations—while optimizing resource allocation.
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Innovation Without Overhead: Benefit from cutting-edge advancements in UAS technology, without the initial investment in internal programs.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
& PROGRAM FRAMEWORK
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MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
IRIS Network is open to verified public safety agencies (fire departments, search and rescue teams, and emergency response agencies) in Thurston, Pierce, Mason, and Lewis Counties, subject to program capacity and mission alignment.
APPLICATION PROCESS
An authorized representative of the agency must complete a Membership Application. The application will be reviewed by the IRIS Network's board of directors for eligibility and alignment with program goals. If approved, IRIS will schedule time to discuss the agency's needs, assess whether the program is a good fit for your operations, discuss integration requirements, and outline any limitations or expectations.
INTEGRATION & TRAINING
IRIS works with department personnel to integrate on-scene UAS operations with the existing ICS structure.
PRIORITIZATION STRUCTURE
Response priority is determined by pilot availability and the emergent nature of the incident, ensuring life-safety threats (e.g., active fires or search effort) take precedence over non-emergent needs (e.g., fire-mapping or training).
MEMBERSHIP FEE & DEPLOYMENT RATES
While the program seeks to cover the majority of deployment costs through grant funding, some costs are assessed to members:
Initial Membership Fee: $500 one-time per agency. This covers onboarding, background vetting, program integration, and a complimentary initial training session (introductory overview of IRIS Network operations, UAS capabilities, and coordination with Incident Command System).
Recurring Annual Fee: $250 per year. This supports ongoing program maintenance, coordination, and network availability.
Additional Integration Costs: Special equipment needs or custom setups may require added integration costs.
Deployment Rates: IRIS Network assesses modest deployment rates to cover direct mission costs and encourage responsible use.
Hourly Rate: $35 per hour of mission time (flight + on-site), with a minimum of 2 hours per deployment.
FIRE & RESCUE
FIRE SUPPRESSION EFFORTS
SIZE UP
QUICK AERIAL ASSESSMENT TO EVALUATE INCIDENT SCOPE AND HAZARDS.
HOTSPOT DETECTION
REAL-TIME THERMAL IDENTIFICATION OF HIDDEN FIRE SOURCES.
FIRE-MAPPING
PRECISE MAPPING OF FIRE PERIMETERS AND SPREAD PATTERNS.
OVERHAUL
POST-SUPPRESSION THERMAL SCANS TO ENSURE COMPLETE EXTINGUISHMENT.
PERSONNEL ACCOUNTING
AERIAL TRACKING TO CONFIRM CREW SAFETY AND LOCATION.
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT
2D AND 3D TERRAIN MAPPING (ORTHOMOSAIC) FOR PREVENTATIVE ASSESSMENTS.
SEARCH & RESCUE
SAR OPERATIONS
TERRAIN ASSESSMENT
PRE-MISSION AERIAL SURVEYS TO MAP ELEVATION, VEGETATION, AND ACCESS ROUTES FOR OPTIMAL SEARCH GRID DESIGN.
THERMAL SCANNING
REAL-TIME INFRARED DETECTION OF HEAT SIGNATURES THROUGH FOLIAGE, DARKNESS, OR SMOKE TO LOCATE SUBJECTS RAPIDLY.
VISUAL CONFIRMATION
HIGH-RESOLUTION RGB FEEDS FOR IDENTITY VERIFICATION AND CONDITION ASSESSMENT FROM SAFE DISTANCES.
STRATEGY MAPPING
ORTHOMOSAIC GENERATION OF SEARCH ZONES AND EXTRACTION PATHS TO GUIDE GROUND TEAMS AND MINIMIZE FATIGUE.
SEARCHER TRACKING
AERIAL MONITORING OF RESCUE PERSONNEL TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND AVOID SECONDARY HAZARDS.
RISK EVALUATION
PRE-EMPTIVE IDENTIFICATION OF TERRAIN DANGERS LIKE CLIFFS OR WATER BODIES TO ENHANCE OPERATIONAL SAFETY.
BEYOND FIRE
MULTI-HAZARD OPERATIONS
SEARCH & RECOVERY & PASSENGER EJECTION
ENHANCE SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS DURING PASSENGER EJECTIONS AND RECOVERY MISSIONS. LEVERAGE THERMAL IMAGING TO SWEEP DENSE TERRAIN, PIERCING THROUGH SMOKE AND LOW-LIGHT CONDITIONS TO SWIFTLY PINPOINT INDIVIDUALS, CONSERVING CRITICAL TIME AND POTENTIALLY SAVING LIVES.
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
STRENGTHEN RESPONSES TO CHEMICAL INCIDENTS… LEVERAGE RGB IMAGING FOR VISUAL ASSESSSMENTS FROM A DISTANCE. ENGAGE THERMAL IMAGING TO DETECT POTENTIAL HEAT SOURCES GENERATED FROM CHEMICAL REACTIONS. TRACE LEAK ORIGINS, DELINEATE CONTAMINATION AREAS, AND MONITOR AIR QUALITY FROM A SAFE DISTANCE, REDUCING RESPONDER RISK AND ENHANCING HAZMAT AND EVACUATION STRATEGIES.
MULTI-VICTIM EVENTS
ELEVATE CRITICAL SITUATIONAL AWARENESS IN MULTI-VICTIM SCENARIOS… DEPLOY RGB AND THERMAL OVERLAYS TO CHART AFFECTED ZONES, IDENTIFY SURVIVORS, AND EVALUATE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE, STREAMLINING TRIAGE, RESOURCE ALLOCATION, AND MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATION FOR OPTIMAL OUTCOMES.
TRAFFIC CONTROL
IMPROVE TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT DURING EMERGENCIES… HARNESS HIGH-RESOLUTION AND THERMAL IMAGING TO ASSESS ROAD STATUS, EASE CONGESTION, AND DETECT STRANDED VEHICLES, ACCELERATING CLEARANCE, REFINING EVACUATION PATHS, AND BOOSTING PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATION.