Hudson Fire Department

I’ve a recent story to tell about how great the men and women of the Hudson Fire Department are so bear with me. It’s worth it.

As a photographer I own several drones (or did) to be used as camera platforms. Recently I flew a DJI Spark from the Hudson Yacht Club to film and photograph the ice breakup. I knew a small windstorm was going to arrive but thought the forecast gave me a 1 or two hour window to fly. I was wrong. While over the ice the wind picked up significantly. Fighting the wind to come back my drone’s battery died and it made a forced landing on ice about 270 feet from me.

All the while I flew I could hear the ice moaning and groaning as it broke up. No way I was going out on that ice to retrieve the drone. On a chance I decided to drive to the firehouse and ask for help. I fully expected them to kindly refuse. Especially since when I arrived they were all busy setting up for a fundraiser event for the Canadian Cancer Society!

But one fireman said sure they would help. If I could wait 15-20 minutes he would call in the rest of the SAR team. Inside of 30’ they were headed out to the site. Two men in full dry suits started out on the ice each attached to shore with safety ropes. Three firemen stayed onshore to play out the lines and communicate.

Alternatively walking, crawling and breaking through the rotting ice, they spent 30-40 minutes searching but could not spot it. It may have sunk if a lead opened up under it or been hidden by some jumbled ice.
I was feeling bad about their effort for my little photo drone but one of the firemen said, “Don’t worry, they’re having fun out there.”

I went back to the firehouse to take some pics of the fundraiser and to make my donation - of course. Even now I’m still amazed at the effort made on my behalf. Hudson should be proud of the professional men and women serving the community so selflessly. My thanks again to all of you.