The city of Port Richey, Florida, is adding two Skydio X10 drones to its emergency response toolkit. The new drones will assist both the police and fire departments in real-time situations ranging from crash investigations to storm damage assessments. The Suncoast News was there and shared the details with us.
The Goal: Become a First Responding Drone Department
The purchase, valued at $50,000, is being funded through a grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Drone Replacement Program. The initiative helps local agencies adopt compliant and reliable unmanned systems for public safety operations.
During an Oct. 28 council meeting, Port Richey Police Chief Frank Ruggiero said the goal is to make drones a first responder resource.
“Our plan is to have multiple employees licensed to operate the drone and eventually become a first responding drone department,” Ruggiero explained. “If we have an emergency or dangerous call, our telecommunications personnel can deploy a drone before an officer even arrives.”
Hello, Skydios
The Skydio X10 is equipped with thermal and 4K color cameras, advanced obstacle avoidance, and an all-weather design. It can operate in low visibility and smoky conditions, making it an ideal support tool for both firefighting and police work.
Live feeds from the drone will give officers and firefighters instant awareness of unfolding situations, such as potential ambushes or missing persons cases. Ruggiero also noted that the system could help locate distressed boaters hidden in mangroves or assist with search and rescue missions along the coastline.
Beyond emergency calls, the drones will be used for traffic crash mapping, large event monitoring, and other tactical operations. “We can get a more complete view from the air than from the ground,” Ruggiero said. “It’s also going to strengthen our partnership with the fire department for coordinated firefighting efforts.”
City officials said the drones will enhance response times and safety for first responders while improving disaster recovery capabilities. After major storms, the drones can assess unsafe areas, identify damage, and collect images for FEMA reimbursement and recovery planning.
Mayor John Eric Hoover praised the program, calling it an important milestone for the city’s public safety mission. “The city of Port Richey is deeply grateful to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for providing the funding,” Hoover said. “These drones will play a vital role in enhancing our operational capabilities and emergency response efforts.”
DroneXL’s Take
Port Richey’s move to integrate Skydio X10 drones into its emergency services shows how rapidly drone technology is becoming a frontline public safety tool. The ability to send a drone to the scene before officers arrive could save lives and protect responders in unpredictable situations.
The Skydio X10, with its autonomy and thermal capabilities, is a top choice for municipalities that want to modernize without depending on foreign-made hardware. Florida’s ongoing support through FDLE grants is accelerating this shift, setting a strong example for other states to follow.
Photo credit: Port Richey PD, Skydio
