First responders in Council Bluffs, Iowa, are some of the first to employ the use of new hovercraft technology in emergency situations. The new machine is lightweight and has strong horsepower. It can handle almost any temperature and fly in nearly any condition. However, the best feature of this new technology is its potential to save both civilian and first responder lives. Chief Justin James told KETV News that the hovercraft can fly about 25 miles per hour and can maneuver through spaces that a rescuer may not be able to.
The hovercraft is especially advantageous during poor weather conditions when first responders may be slowed down. Because it flies about 9 inches off the ground, the vehicle is ideal for ice and water rescues where cracking or debris may a safety hazard or slow down the rescue.
"It takes a long time to deploy a boat in the winter because of the ice flow, but the ice floe wouldn't affect [the hovercraft]," James said. "You can drive right over the ice."
In the future, it is possible that hovercrafts will become normal tools for first responders. Their effectiveness in making rescues safer and more effective are just a few things that make them a worthy investment for rescue workers.