UASI Project Summary Sheet UAVs request.docx

Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) 
Project Summary 
 
Please email completed forms to phoenixuasi@phoenix.gov 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 
Agency Name:   
City of Buckeye – Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department 
(BFMRD) 
Point of Contact:   
Rob Roach 
Phone Number:  
623-349-6165 
Email:  
rroach@buckeyeaz.gov 
 
 
PROJECT TITLE: 
Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 
Systems (UAV) 
 
UASI SUBCOMMITTEE PROJECT FALLS UNDER:  
 
Emergency Management 
 
PROJECT SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: 
Project description must include: 
 What the project intends to do or accomplish 
 How this project would benefit the agency, region, or state 
 Any additional information you see fit that would provide greater clarity as to what the 
project is trying to accomplish and/or the added benefit it would provide 
 
The Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department (BFMRD) requests funding for 7 unmanned 
aerial vehicle systems (UAV) to increase first responder and public safety when responding 
to and/or preventing emergency events. The UAVs are required and necessary to conduct 
Hazardous Materials (HazMat), terrorist, and mass catastrophic event response activities, 
including the identification of explosive devices. The requested UAVs have advanced wide 
cameras with zoom in and out functionality, as well as thermal cameras to help the operator 
identify potential threats. The use of UAVs by fire department personnel across the country 
has been proven to reduce the risk of injury or death of firefighters and citizens when 
responding to dangerous calls. UAVs can also be deployed rapidly and have the capability to 
assess the scenes of emergencies, distribute fire retardant or water on fires, safely monitor a 
fire or HazMat situation, aid in search and rescue calls for service, deliver supplies to 
stranded individuals, and locate potential hot zones. The UAVs will enhance the gathering of 
information and intelligence prior to the presence of personnel on-scene. This information 
and intelligence can be analyzed and shared across jurisdictions early on to be able to form 
a plan of action. The UAVs can be maneuvered quickly, and the operator will be able to relay 
information to the responding personnel. The UAVs will also be utilized during events that 
draw large crowds, which may be a target in which explosive devices may be deployed to

attack innocent people. An example of this is the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, where 
explosives were detonated to kill and injure eventgoers. The City of Buckeye hosts at least 
two events every year that attract large numbers of people: the Buckeye Air Fair and the 
Buckeye Marathon. The use of UAVs ensures that BFMRD is prepared should a hazardous 
event or threat present itself. During an emergency, such as an explosive device at the 
Buckeye Air Fair, where thousands will be gathered, UAVs can be used to prevent 
catastrophic events by locating the device before detonation. The UAVs can also be used to 
recover from major catastrophic events by locating those in need and bringing life-saving 
medical supplies to the impact area. 
 
Buckeye is the westernmost city of the Phoenix Metropolitan area, and major freeways such 
as Interstate 10 and State Route 85 run through Buckeye. This positions Buckeye to aid all 
Metro Phoenix cities during a terrorist and mass catastrophic event. Buckeye has historically 
answered the call to assist all other jurisdictions during emergencies. The ability to 
effectively and safely assess an emergency situation without placing first responders in 
potentially dangerous environments will benefit the multi-jurisdictional response efforts. In 
2024, BFMRD provided mutual aid in 1,188 incidents for service within Buckeye and 
neighboring jurisdictions. Calls for service included emergency responses and response 
readiness for potential terrorist and mass catastrophic events such as the Super Bowl, 
visiting dignitaries, and large soft target events. BFMRD anticipates that calls for service 
within Buckeye and neighboring jurisdictions will increase every year due to the rapid growth 
within Buckeye and neighboring cities, and the attractiveness of holding large events in 
Metro Phoenix. 
 
In August of 2024, Fire suppression units from multiple agencies worked together to contain 
a 30-acre brush fire in the county area south of Buckeye, Arizona. The response teams 
included Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue, Arizona Fire Medical, Goodyear Fire, Phoenix Fire, 
and the State Department of Forestry. More recently, BFRMD participated in covering trips 
to Phoenix by the US President and the Charlie Kirk Memorial ceremony, which drew large 
crowds. These collaborative response efforts require preventive and advanced equipment, 
such as the requested UAVs. BFMRD urgently requires UAVs to ensure safe and reliable 
service to the valley community. Without these UAVs, Buckeye, along with the Phoenix 
Metropolitan area, is left exposed to potential threats, including terrorist and mass 
catastrophic events, due to the lack of reliable and safe advanced equipment. Buckeye and 
the Phoenix Metropolitan area cannot afford to continue operating with the current 
vulnerability threats that are being faced due to the lack of these advanced UAVs. 
The proposed UAVs can also be integrated into the Buckeye Police Department’s Real-Time 
Information Center (RTIC), as well as the West Valley Real-Time Crime Center (WVRTCC), 
for mutual aid. The WVRTCC includes Buckeye, Avondale, Glendale, Surprise, Tolleson, 
and Wickenburg.  
 
This request is scalable. 
 
BUDGET: 
Item 
Qty Requested 
Cost Per Item 
Total Requested 
Unmanned Aerial 
Vehicle 
7 
$75,000.00 
$525,000.00 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TOTAL PROJECT REQUEST: $525,000.00