PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The Hughes County Commission have given the go-ahead for Emergency Manager Rob Fines to purchase a drone. Fines says the cost of the drone is being covered by grant funding.

The drone comes with two high-quality cameras.

Fines says while there are drones around central South Dakota owned and operated by private individuals they are rare in the public safety community.

Fines says he plans to order the unit this week.

Much like in the private sector Fines will need insurance for the drone and other operators of the drone will need to be licensed. The quoted price for the drone is $19,831 while the grant is for $20,000 meaning the drone will not cost any taxpayer dollars for the purchase. Fine says the cameras alone on board the drone are $6,000-$8,000 apiece.