Western Nebraska Observer - Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Ron Leal, Director of Region 21 Emergency Management, recently purchased a drone with a thermal camera.

Leal said the drone would help law enforcement in search and rescue operations. It will also be valuable for storm damage documentation, tower inspection, fires, and various other things.

Over the years, local law enforcement has repeatedly asked him if he had any such equipment to help in search and rescue operations, so he pursued the idea.

Leal received approval to purchase the drone from his board, comprised of county commissioners from the counties included in Region 21. Region 21 i...