Police and fire departments in eastern Iowa have added drones to their fleets in hopes of increasing safety and making first responders more effective.

The Telegraph Herald reports that Dubuque police officers and firefighters are undergoing the required training to operate the new drones.

City officials say the drones cost about $9,000 each.

Fire Chief Rick Steines says the drone can be used to improve safety in situations with hazardous materials. It can also aid in looking for missing persons.

Police Department Cpl. Travis Kramer says it can help authorities gather information before executing potentially dangerous search warrants, find hiding suspects and provide a better view of major crash scenes.

Officials from both departments say they'll create usage policies for the drones before they're used in official operations.