Don’t Approach Downed Drones, Call Bomb Squad, NJ Says

NEW JERSEY — State authorities have issued new guidance to New Jersey firefighters about approaching a downed or landed drone, as first responders around the state continue to receive calls about unexplained aircraft.

Thousands of tips have come in to the Federal Bureau of Investigation since they began investigating residents' reports of increased drone activity in their neighborhoods, and near important infrastructure. Local officials in more than half the state are fielding these same reports, including police and fire companies.

Now, the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety has warned firefighters not to approach any grounded drones, according to a bulletin obtained by NJ101.5.

The intelligence bulletin from the Fire Threat Task Force instructs fire crews to notify local law enforcement and the FBI if they encounter a drone that has landed or crashed. They are to request local and state Haz-Mat teams, and also contact the nearest bomb squad.

"This is a law enforcement incident, extinguish any fire and secure the perimeter," the bulletin reads. "Be aware that electronic devices and two-way radio systems may malfunction in the immediate area.

Firefighters are also advised to use full personal protective equipment.

These guidelines were developed in collaboration with New Jersey State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation office in Newark, according to the Division of Fire Safety.

The New Jersey Firemen's Benevolent Association will share these recommendations with their members while they continue to assess the situation, president Eddie Donnelly told NJ101.5.

"While our members share the same concerns many New Jersey residents have, we remain committed to being the first line of defense for our state."

State and local officials are unable to interfere with any drone activity, and it is a federal crime to shoot one down without federal authorization. The FBI is leading the investigation, with the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Aviation Administration also involved.

A White House spokesman said Thursday that many of the sightings are not actually drones, but "manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully."

The FBI and DHS also said they have been helping local law enforcement in New Jersey "with numerous detection methods," but also said they have not verified the reports.

“Historically, we have experienced cases of mistaken identity, where reported drones are, in fact, manned aircraft or facilities," the agencies' joint statement said. "To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft, operating lawfully."

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