Chiba Fire Department Enhances Safety with Drone Rental for Inspection

The Chiba City Fire Department has recently integrated the IBIS2 drone, developed by Liberaware, as part of its ongoing initiative for safety enhancement in rescue operations. This rental introduction stems from the city's "Trial Order Certification Project," aiming to equip emergency responders with advanced technologies for more effective and safer missions.

Background of IBIS2's Introduction

On November 25, 2024, the Chiba City recognized the technological prowess of the IBIS2 and granted it certification under their trial order program. This status allows Liberaware to establish non-competitive contracts with the city, facilitating the drone's use in training and real-life emergency scenarios. The IBIS2 is particularly noted for its compact design, enabling it to navigate small and confined spaces that firefighters may not immediately access.

Objectives and Applications of IBIS2

The primary role of the IBIS2 in rescue operations is to perform pre-flight assessments in hazardous environments, thus minimizing risks to the personnel involved. This drone allows the fire department to confirm the conditions within a confined space before entering. Key applications include:

- Routine rescue training practices, as well as live scenarios to improve emergency response.
- Inspection of environments filled with harmful gases or in high-explosion risk areas prior to crew entry.
- Real-time sharing of internal site conditions from a forward command post to all response teams.

Utilization in the CBRNE Terrorism Response Drill

On February 24, 2026, the Chiba Fire Department executed a crucial drill simulating a CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) incident at a commercial facility. This exercise assessed the rapid response capabilities of related agencies, including police, fire, and medical units.

During this training, a suspicious powder and liquid were dispersed on the second floor of a mock building. A fire department drone pilot operated the IBIS2 to survey the area, providing live video feeds of the situation back to the command center. This innovative approach enabled the team to assess the position of potential victims and contamination levels efficiently, ensuring the safety of firefighters while confirming critical details before proceeding with the rescue.

Future Perspectives

The adoption of the IBIS2 in high-stakes firefighting and rescue situations marks a significant step towards achieving Liberaware's mission of creating a society where everyone can feel safe. By gathering insights and feedback from frontline operators during this training exercise, Liberaware aims to continually enhance both its hardware and software solutions. Through close collaboration with local governments and partner organizations, Liberaware is dedicated to promoting standardized drone operations in disaster response, further enhancing public safety.

About Liberaware

Founded on August 22, 2016, Liberaware has taken significant strides in drone technology, focusing on inspections in the most challenging environments—tight, dark, and hazardous indoor spaces. With a mission to visualize unseen risks, the company works tirelessly to deliver a safer and more peaceful society via innovative solutions and services that include drone-based data collection and analysis, as well as a variety of development projects for both hardware and software.

For more information, visit their website: Liberaware.