In Florida, field conditions change fast.  From structural fire mop-up to statewide disaster response, having the right intel in the hands of the right people makes all the difference. At San Carlos Park Fire Rescue in South Florida, UAS Program Manager, Richard Doupe, is proving that even one person, with the right tools, can bring clarity and coordination to even the most complex missions.

San Carlos Park Fire Rescue District drone program began in 2019 with purchase of the first drone.  They began putting together tactics for different types of calls and how the drone could be integrated.

The Challenge: Data Without a Destination

The department had invested in UAS tools, but turning that drone footage into real products that command teams could use immediately was a barrier. They could capture imagery, but processing it and turning it into something useful for boots-on-the-ground crews required extra steps, tech experts, or post-incident delays. 

For Richard Doupe, who leads San Carlos Park’s drone program and also serves on a State USAR team, he needed a way to own the full workflow: fly, process, and deliver all in one tool. Whether he was responding to a wildfire near San Carlos Park or flood conditions post-Hurricane Debby, the mission was the same: get actionable maps into the hands of the incident command team fast and without friction.

Richard’s work during Hurricane Debby marked the first time Nova was used in a hurricane response. He’s also been instrumental in helping shape product improvements with providing insights on his experience. In a platform built for users, partners like Richard help drive our progress and continuous evolvement. 

The Solution: Field-Ready Mapping, No Tech Team Required

San Carlos Park Fire Rescue implemented Nova’s orthomosaic mapping tools, PDF exports, and annotation features to quickly turn raw drone data into clear, operationally relevant maps. No outside GIS support. No bottlenecks. 

They could now:

• Generate up-to-date orthomosaics within minutes

• Annotate maps with directions of travel, entry points, and staging areas

• Share maps immediately with field teams and command via PDF or secure link

Richard started deploying Nova during two types of missions:

1. Fire Mop-Up & Coordination: After a brush fire outside San Carlos Park, Richard mapped the full perimeter, marked hazards, and shared directions of travel for incoming engines during mop-up operations the next day.

   

2. Hurricane Response: During Hurricane Debby, Richard mapped more than 10 flooded zones to support up-to-date coordination for incident command. These maps were used by local teams during the response and recovery phase. 

   

Turning Data into Deliverables

With Nova, Richard is more than a drone pilot. He’s a mapping lead, a data provider, and a critical node in the response workflow. His maps are now used regularly for: 

• Faster mop-up and resourcing during wildfires

• Flood zone assessment and real-time planning during disasters

• Briefings, strategy sessions, and on-the-ground navigation

He’s built a reputation, not just in his department, but with state-level responders and Florida forestry teams where he delivers high-quality fire maps that teams can trust. 

Real Results on Real Scenes

The results have been tangible. From tighter coordination during mop-up to streamlined communication during large-scale disaster response, Nova has become a key part of the San Carlos Park toolkit.

Richard has even become known within the state response community as someone who can consistently deliver high-quality, actionable maps in the heat of the moment.

“Nova mappings has become an intricate part of applying drone footage to command and responders on scene.  I look forward to seeing the future development of the program to provide more options on the emergency scene.”

— Richard Doupe Facility & Logistics Manager

Nova's simplicity has been key. What used to take hours of post-processing or third-party tools now happens on the spot, and the department doesn’t need to rely on external GIS experts to make it happen.

What's Next

San Carlos Park Fire Rescue continues to find new ways to integrate Nova into daily operation. With growing interest across Florida's fire and USAR communities, their approach is becoming a model for what small UAS programs can achieve with the right tools.