Real-Time Intelligence for Critical Incident Command
When a wildfire ignites, the decisions made in the first hours determine the outcome. MCI's Mission Commanders are in the air, coordinating aircraft, collecting data, and delivering intelligence to the people who need it — before conditions have a chance to outpace the response.
Every FIRIS mission follows a disciplined operational sequence — from initial aircraft deployment to final intelligence delivery. Speed and accuracy are built into every phase.
FIRIS aircraft are deployed into the incident zone to gather essential data with advanced sensing technology.
Onboard specialists analyze and interpret data in real-time to produce actionable intelligence.
Rapid Coordination 
Rapid Care Coordination Intelligence
Coordinating multiple aircraft over an active wildfire is one of the highest-stakes responsibilities in aerial operations. MCI's Mission Commanders manage every aspect of that coordination, keeping aircraft operating safely and effectively in shared airspace while protecting both mission integrity and crew safety throughout. That means staying in constant contact with remote pilots, fixed and rotor wing crews, and ground coordination teams. Our Mission Commanders keep full situational awareness of every aircraft in the incident airspace, handling separation, sequencing, and priority tasking as it happens.
MCI's operational data pipeline is designed to move intelligence from the aircraft to incident command with minimal latency and maximum clarity. Every step in the flow is structured to preserve the speed and accuracy that commanders depend on.
FIRIS aircraft carry FLIR and multispectral sensors that pull continuous thermal and visual data over the incident zone. Even when there is turbulence or smoke, stabilized camera gimbals and advanced avionics keep the data quality high.
As data flows in, onboard Mission Commanders and specialists evaluate thermal imagery, pull out what matters most, and build tactical map overlays that reflect what the fire is doing right now. Heat detection algorithms make it possible to identify new hotspots and moving fire lines as fast as they appear.
Intelligence is pushed out to the Incident Command Post and designated field teams through satellite communication and encrypted data uplinks. High-speed data links keep delivery fast enough that ground operations stay current with the aerial picture as it develops.
Incident command gets updated tactical maps, thermal imagery assessments, and actionable fire behavior intelligence in a format that's ready to use right away. That data moves across the ICS structure simultaneously, reaching Operations, Planning, and Logistics to support a coordinated response at every level.
Fully integrated with the Incident Command System (ICS), FIRIS data is streamlined upwards through the standardized ICS structure.
FIRIS data does not exist in isolation — it is fully integrated with the Incident Command System, the standardized framework that governs emergency response operations across Local, State, and Federal agencies.
MCI's Mission Commanders are seasoned ICS practitioners who understand how information moves through the structure, what each section needs, and how to deliver intelligence in a way that actually supports decision-making at every level.
Data collected and analyzed by FIRIS aircraft flows upward through the ICS structure, from the Mission Coordinator and Remote Pilot to the ICS Unit, Ground Teams, and the Incident Commander.
This integration ensures that aerial intelligence does not get lost in translation. Operations receives tactical fire behavior data to direct suppression resources. Planning gets new maps and spread projections to help them make action plans. Logistics receives situational awareness to position resources effectively.
MCI builds its operational model around the speed and complexity that real wildfire incidents demand. Get in touch with our team to find out how FIRIS integration can improve your agency's response capability.
