Classes have been taken, certification testing has taken place, and now the Great Bend Police and Fire Departments are getting close to having a drone available for use by the respective departments. Great Bend Police Chief David Bailey and Lieutenant Heather Smith along with Chief Luke McCormick and firefighter Mike Smith from the Fire Department are now certified to operate a drone after taking classes at Fort Hays State and then passing their certification test in Salina. Smith will head up the drone program at the Police Department. The Great Bend City Council last year authorized funds to purchase a drone for use by both the Police and Fire Departments. For now, the departments will share the drone which Smith says is a good way to operate since most times they are in a mutual aid situation anyway.
(Read more: Great Bend Post)