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Montgomery County Fire Department Puts Drone-Like Devices Into Service

By WTOP Staff

The three unmanned aircraft systems MCFRS has, via MCFRS One of the department's three unmanned aircraft systems, via MCFRS MCFRS commanders look at real-time footage inside the mobile command unit from an unmanned aircraft system, via MCFRS

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will soon use three drone-like flying devices to help commanders see collapsing walls, changing water currents and other above-ground visuals to keep firefighters safe.

The use of the three unmanned aircraft systems, first reported by radio station WNEW,  started at the department’s training grounds, where two of the devices can be seen hovering about 30 to 40 feet above ground during various exercises.

Department spokesperson Pete Piringer said  MCFRS put a third unmanned aircraft system (UAS) into operation last week on its mobile command unit, an RV-like bus that the department uses to respond to major incidents.

The devices each cost less than $1,000 and are a project of Montgomery County Fire Department assistant chief Mike Clemens, who oversees the department’s training exercises.

Cameras installed on the devices, which are less than two feet in diameter and operated by joystick or remote, can broadcast live footage back to the mobile command unit.

The department hopes the devices can show command units crumbling walls, movement of water in river rescues or where people are in search and rescue operations. Piringer said the department is developing specific guidelines for how, when and where the devices can be used.

With UAS devices coming cheaper and easier than ever, the Federal Aviation Administration is attempting to regulate an exploding marketplace and increasing use by public safety agencies, hobbyists and even sports franchises.

Local police and fire stations can get approval from the FAA to use the systems, which Piringer said MCFRS did. He said there would be no security restrictions for UAS use in downcounty areas near the D.C. line.

“Obviously, our folks are tuned into that,” Piringer said. “We don’t anticipate having to fly these that high.”

Piringer said the highest the UAS devices might go is in the case of a high-rise fire. Considering the tallest building in Montgomery County is 289 feet, that likely won’t be a common use.

The more likely uses for the devices will come in the case of a Potomac River rescue or in the search for hazardous materials in a building fire, Piringer said.

“We think they’re going to have a multitude of uses that will ultimately be very efficient,” Piringer said. “We’ll be able to deploy these aircraft in a way that will send some real-time data to our command post.”

Photos via MCFRS

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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