San Bernardino County Fire acquires five firefighting drones

The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (SBCoFD) has entered in a contract with Seneca, a resilience technology and infrastructure company, to deploy a Seneca Strike Team of five AI-powered autonomous suppression aircraft. SBCoFD will be the first fire department in California to train with and deploy Seneca’s system.

The Strike Team includes five autonomous suppression aircraft, a towable Mobile Air Operations Base, and full access to Seneca’s autonomy software. Because the aircraft navigate and coordinate using onboard AI, a single SBCoFD pilot can operate the multiple Seneca aircraft in difficult terrain, allowing SBCoFD to reach dangerous hard-to-reach places even more quickly.

SBCoFD will use the Seneca Strike Team as a force multiplier for its firefighters, engines, and existing aerial resources in situations that were previously unsafe, inefficient, or impossible.

Rapid initial attack in inaccessible areas. Seneca’s five-aircraft strike team launches from anywhere, delivers more than 500 gallons of finished foam, and reaches a new start in 5–10 minutes or less, supporting the District’s goal of stopping fires while they are still small.

“Our goal is to stop 90% of fires before they grow larger than 10 square feet,” said Dan Munsey, Fire Chief of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. “Seneca’s aircraft give us a capability that has never before been possible: autonomous rapid initial attack. We’ve been working closely with Seneca for over a year to develop a system that meets our needs.  This product will help us to get more quickly to parts of the County that are at the highest risk and help make those communities safer. It force-multiplies what our firefighters can do, and it keeps them safer while they do it.”

“San Bernardino County Fire Protection District is one of the most respected fire agencies in the world — a true all-hazard department that has a long history of embracing new technologies and approaches to firefighting,” said Stuart Landesberg, Founder and CEO of Seneca. “We look for partners that combine excellence, a true service mentality, and a history of innovation. Chief Munsey and San Bernardino Fire embody all three. We are honored to deliver our first system in California to Chief Munsey and his team.”

SBCoFD expects firefighter training to begin ahead of delivery in the first and second quarters of 2027, with the Seneca system integrated into District operations before the 2027 peak fire season.

For more information on Seneca, visit www.seneca.com.