Stamford Drones Beat Fire Trucks to Scene in New “Game Changer” 911 Program

DFR Revolution: Stamford’s new automated Paladin DJI M30 drones are launching from rooftops to beat fire trucks to the scene, giving commanders eyes on high-rise fires before crews even leave the garage.

In a dramatic validation of drone technology, a 911-dispatched drone recently beat fire crews to a high-rise blaze in Stamford, CT, confirming a working fire on the ninth floor before the first engine even hit the road.

The incident highlights Stamford’s newly launched Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, which officially went live on October 1. The system allows pilots to launch automated drones from fixed docking stations directly from the 911 dispatch center, bypassing traffic to arrive on scene in under 90 seconds.

During a major fire on Bedford Street on October 10, this speed proved critical.

“They had visual evidence of a fire on the ninth floor of an apartment building, long before our crews even got on the road in the fire truck,” Capt. Brian Whitbread of the Stamford Fire Department told News 12.

Whitbread noted that the early intel allowed commanders to immediately upgrade the response.

“It’s a difficult fire to fight, and that put them in the ready mode, which I think gave a significant head start on the activity of putting that fire out.”

Eyes on the Scene in 90 Seconds

The program positions automated drones at strategic “nests” in North and South Stamford. When a 911 call comes in, a dispatch supervisor enters the address into a web-based interface and launches the aircraft with a single click.

While traditional response vehicles fight through city traffic, the drone flies a direct line at 400 feet.

“They will fly over the city of Stamford to the incident—no traffic, no traffic lights,” Whitbread explained. “We’ve had them on scene within about a minute, minute and a half.”

The video feed is streamed instantly to the 911 center, incident commanders’ iPads, and even large screens inside responding fire apparatus. This allows crews to formulate a plan—choosing hydrants, entry points, and equipment—while still en route.

Beyond Fires: Saving Lives and Tracking Suspects with DJI Drones and Paladin

While the Bedford Street fire was a headline success, the program is designed for multi-agency use, supporting Police, Fire, and EMS.

Police Sgt. John Derisme described the system as a “game changer,” citing a recent marine rescue where a drone located an overturned kayak in Long Island Sound. The aerial view guided rescue boats directly to the victim, saving precious minutes in the water.

In another incident, a suspect fled a domestic violence scene, believing he had escaped. The drone’s thermal camera tracked his heat signature to a hiding spot under parked buses, guiding officers to a safe arrest without a dangerous foot chase.

For EMS crews, the drone offers a way to triage highway crashes before arrival.

“We were able to identify potential hazards and entry and exit routes for the scene, which we wouldn’t have had just being on the ground,” said Deputy Chief Bill Ackley of Stamford EMS.

DroneXL’s Take

Stamford’s success is the latest proof point in a massive shift toward “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) operations across the United States.

We are seeing a rapid acceleration of these programs. Just this month, Brooklyn Park, MN approved a $4.6M DFR program using Skydio docks, and Concord PD expanded their fleet to do the same. Meanwhile, Victorville, CA became the first contract city to deploy BRINC’s specialized responder drones.

The Stamford example is particularly important because it highlights the Fire and EMS utility of DFR. While privacy advocates often focus on police surveillance, stories like the Bedford Street high-rise fire demonstrate the undeniable life-saving potential of aerial situational awareness.

However, success isn’t guaranteed. As we reported, Syracuse’s drone program remains stalled due to political pushback. Stamford’s transparent, multi-agency approach—focusing heavily on fire and rescue outcomes—seems to be the winning formula for gaining public trust.

What do you think? Do you feel safer knowing a drone might reach your house before the fire truck? Share your thoughts in the comments below.