May 16, 2026
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The Municipality of Kincardine is enhancing municipal operations with the use of drone technology to support infrastructure planning, emergency management, and community safety.
A press release, issued Friday, states that municipal drones provide staff with a safe and efficient way to capture aerial imagery and collect site data for projects across the community. This technology supports day-to-day operations while helping improve planning, response, and decision-making in a variety of municipal services.
Drone operations may be used for activities, such as infrastructure inspections, project-planning, shoreline-monitoring, emergency response, and damage assessments following severe weather or other incidents. Aerial data allows staff to safely assess locations that may be difficult to access and helps improve situational awareness during emergencies.
The municipality currently operates two drones: the DJI Matrice 400 and the DJI Mini 5 Pro. Flights are conducted by trained municipal staff in accordance with Transport Canada regulations. The municipality has 10 certified pilots who hold Transport Canada pilot certificates for basic and advanced operations under the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems program.
Drone technology supports a range of municipal functions, including:
Infrastructure and project-planning
Surveying project areas before construction
Creating aerial maps and site documentation
Monitoring shoreline changes and municipal assets, such as bridges, roads, and stormwater systems
Emergency management
Supporting situational awareness during incidents
Assisting with search and rescue operations
Assessing impacts from flooding, storms, and infrastructure damage
Providing aerial imagery for emergency planning and recovery
Community resilience
Improving staff safety by reducing the need for manual inspections in hazardous areas
Supporting faster response and informed decision-making
Enhancing communication with residents through accurate visual information during emergencies and recovery efforts
All footage, imagery, and data collected through municipal drone operations is municipally-owned and remains under the care and control of the Municipality of Kincardine. Information is collected only for specific operational purposes, such as infrastructure planning, inspections, and emergency management, and is handled in accordance with applicable privacy legislation. Drone use is limited to authorized municipal activities and is not intended for general surveillance.
The municipality’s drone may also be used, periodically, during training exercises with Kincardine Fire and Emergency Services to support emergency preparedness and staff training. Residents may occasionally notice drone activity during evening training sessions held from 7-10 p.m., on scheduled Wednesday training nights in Tiverton and Kincardine.
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