SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — Snohomish County is hoping to add a new crew of first responders to its teams as officials consider deploying drones to help with everything from firefighting to finding missing children.

For one week this month, Marysville firefighters had air support they had never experienced before. Support from overhead drones allowed them to see what they were dealing with in real time before they even arrived at the scene.

The drones were part of a pilot program designed to show police and firefighters their capabilities. During a recent fire in Marysville, a drone launched by 911 dispatchers arrived on scene three full minutes before fire crews on the ground.

"The drone is flying as firefighters are getting dressed for the incident and responding to the scene," said Mar

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