Revolutionizing Hazmat Operations: Drones in Fire Service with Rich Gatanis

In this episode of DroneCast, host Joe Kearns sits down with Rich Gatanis, UAS Coordinator at Southern Manatee Fire Rescue, to explore how drones are transforming hazardous materials (hazmat) operations. Rich shares how his team transitioned from traditional methods to drone-based solutions for safer and more effective emergency response—paving the way for national best practices in hazmat drone usage.

In this episode of DroneCast, host Joe Kearns interviews Rich Gatanis, UAS Coordinator at Southern Manatee Fire Rescue, to unpack the groundbreaking applications of drone technology in hazardous material environments. Rich shares his unique journey from a banking career to becoming a firefighter post-9/11, and how that experience fuels his passion for innovation in public safety.

Listeners will hear how his department evolved their drone program since 2015, developing protocols for flammability testing, remote gas monitoring, and air quality assessments—all while improving responder safety and reducing personnel exposure to toxic conditions. Rich also outlines the strategic process of gaining buy-in, documenting testing procedures, and scaling these use cases into real-world deployment.

This episode offers critical insights for public safety leaders, hazmat responders, and drone innovators looking to responsibly integrate unmanned systems into their operations.

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Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Intro: Rethinking Public Safety with Drones
[01:42] From Banking to Fire Service: A Career Change Story
[03:51] Early Days of Drone Integration in Fire Rescue
[06:06] Overcoming Administrative and Regulatory Challenges
[11:20] Pioneering Drone Safety Testing in Hazmat Environments
[14:12] Innovative Uses of Drones in Indoor Operations
[15:24] Advanced Air Monitoring and Chemical Detection
[18:51] Case Study: The Florida Volcano Incident
[21:10] Drone Applications in Disaster Response and Mapping
[22:43] Outro and Preview of Part 2