KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department used its remote-controlled robot for the first time Saturday morning to fight an industrial fire.
At 6:45 a.m., KCFD responded to a fire at 2501 Front Street, where Batliner Recycling is located.
Upon arrival, crews saw a large fire on the east end of the property.
The fire involved several semi-trailers and large piles of recyclable materials, leading to multiple crews being dispatched to get the fire under control.
For the first time in the fire department's history, a diesel-powered, remotely operated tracked robot capable of supplying 2,500 gallons of water per minute was used.
The apparatus is equipped with multiple cameras, including thermal imaging, a front-mounted blade for debris, tracked mobility for ease of operation and accessibility, and is supplied by multiple supply lines, producing upwards of 2,500 gallons per minute of water for fire suppression.
Fire Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins said the unit can go 600-900 feet with a hose attached.
He expects the robot will be regularly used for mulch fires, fires in any of the many Kansas City area caves, industrial fires, and any fire where there is the risk of building collapse.
The unit is one of only seven currently at fire departments around the country.
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