Just weeks ago, the City Council and CFPS agreed to restructured contract terms through 2025. Each side claimed victory with the CFPS most notably securing a pay raise for their firefighters and the government securing continued fire protection services for the public. However, each side also promised tough negotiations barreling ahead to their next deadline, January 1, 2026.

The first salvo fired came from the City Council. This afternoon, the City Council CNPS Stream account posted multiple videos of ground and aerial drones extinguishing small fires. “This is breakthrough technology. These AI-powered drones put out fires of any size, perhaps even better than humans. It’s very important to our city to explore every avenue to keep us safe from fiery disasters,” said Mayor Gondola. “Our residents deserve secure protection from accidents and natural disasters. This administration is committed to that mission.”

Whether intentional or not, this footage being publicized so soon after a contentious several months between the CFPS and City Council caught the attention of CFPS firefighters. “It’s psychological warfare. This two-faced government begged us not to strike. Begged us. Now, they’re trying to demonstrate to the public, CFPS can be replaced by robots. That ain’t happening,” said an anonymous CFPS firefighter.

In the videos posted, a fleet of small aerial drones swarms overhead and communicates to ground vehicles where to concentrate the water in order to effectively put out the fire.

The drones were supplied by EyeSky, a company founded by a group of international Cinni State graduates. EyeSky has deployed their drone fleet in an attempt to color the sky with severe weather alerts. After demonstrating their tech years ago, they discontinued their sky-mapping project due to lack of funding. Since then they’ve closely aligned with Mayor Gondola’s administration and have become the government’s personal drone fleet. From government-sponsored drone light shows to drone races to now, drone firefighting.

“We want to be prepared. CFPS caught us on our back foot with their urgent and unnecessary demands for a contract restructure. Now, we have alternative options. We absolutely prefer for our CFPS to keep Cinniapolitans safe. But, when they talk of strikes and work stoppages, they greatly diminish the public’s trust. Last time I checked, there hasn’t been a drone fleet to refuse to go to work,” said Mayor Gondola.