Drone as First Responder
LAPD Expands Drone Use for Routine Emergency Calls in Pilot Program
On June 25, 2025, the Los Angeles Police Commission approved a new policy allowing the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to deploy drones for routine emergency calls, marking a significant shift from their prior use in only high-risk scenarios like…
Santa Fe Police Seek 2025 Drone Program Expansion Amid Privacy Debates
As of June 2025, the Santa Fe Police Department is preparing to request City Council approval for a $500,000 upgrade to its drone program, aiming to deploy Skydio’s advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to enhance policing efficiency, according to details…
Cleveland Explores Drone as First Responder Program for Fire and EMS 911 Calls
Cleveland, Ohio, is taking a bold step toward modernizing emergency response by exploring the use of drones for fire and EMS 911 calls. The city has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to technology firms, inviting proposals for a “Drone…
California Court Orders Chula Vista Police to Release Drone Videos, Setting Precedent for Transparency
A San Diego judge has mandated the release of 25 Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) drone videos from March 2021, ending a four-year legal battle led by La Prensa publisher Art Castañares. This landmark ruling, reported by CBS 8, requires…
Skydio X10 Drone Crash in NYC: Battery Connector Failure Sparks Safety Concerns
On May 12, 2025, a Skydio X10 drone operated by the New York Police Department (NYPD) crashed and caught fire on the roof of the 71st Police Precinct in Brooklyn, raising questions about drone safety and reliability. According to a…
Drones Save Lives in Asheville: How DJI Docks Transformed Hurricane Helene Response
When Hurricane Helene ravaged Asheville, North Carolina, in 2024, floodwaters turned streets into rivers, cut power, and isolated communities. Amid the chaos, the Asheville Police Department’s deployment of 13 DJI Docks became a lifeline, revolutionizing emergency response with real-time aerial…
Skydio’s Drone as First Responder Center Revolutionizes Public Safety Training in Atlanta
In a groundbreaking move for public safety, Skydio has partnered with the Atlanta Police Foundation to launch America’s first Drone as First Responder (DFR) Center of Excellence at the newly opened Atlanta Public Safety Training Center (PSTC). Announced on Skydio’s…
Drone News: TX & OH Bills Against Drones, FL Bill, OR Bill Helps DFR
This week, we have four stories to share, making this update slightly longer than usual due to significant developments in the drone industry. Texas House Bill 41: Controversial Drone Ban Texas House Bill 41 aims to ban certain drones, primarily…
SkyeBrowse and Paladin Unveil Real-Time 3D Modeling for Drone First Responder Programs
Today, SkyeBrowse and Paladin announced a pioneering partnership to integrate real-time 3D modeling into Drone as First Responder (DFR) workflows, a first for public safety applications, according to their joint press release. By combining SkyeBrowse’s videogrammetry technology with Paladin’s autonomous…
Oklahoma City Police Drone Rescues Man Struck by Train, Showcasing Skydio’s First Responder Capabilities
In a remarkable display of drone technology’s life-saving potential, the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) recently released footage of a Skydio drone used to locate and rescue a man critically injured after being struck by a train. The incident, which…
Syracuse Police Drone Program’s $619,000 Budget For 5 Drones Signals Blue sUAS Tech
Syracuse, New York, is poised to launch a pioneering “Drone as First Responder” program, expanding from high-priority 911 calls to any incident deemed to enhance public safety, according to a City Hall news release. Backed by a $619,000 budget for…
Oregon Senate Bill 238 Advances: Police Drones Set for Expanded Role in 911 Responses
On April 7, 2025, Oregon’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted 5-1 to advance Senate Bill 238, a proposal to broaden police drone use for 911 calls, suspect pursuits, and search operations, according to OregonLive. The bill, now headed to the Senate…