Traditional methods like ladders and helicopters have their limitations. It actually increases the intensity of a blaze by fanning flames and creating more debris.
Ladders are also fairly limited.
They can only go up eight stories before they become unstable. But Metreveli and his company, DM Aerosafe Group, are in the midst of creating a vertical take-off platform. It would hover next to burning buildings, making it possible for people to climb out, Metreveli said. It could handle up to 10 people, seated or on a stretcher. It would be lined with heat-resistant rubber on the edges so it could bump into buildings during rescue operations.