First Responders
First Responder Drones: Explore how drones are revolutionizing first responder operations. Stay updated on the latest technology and applications in emergencies.
FCC Drone Ban Starts Countdown That Will Affect Every American
I am well aware that many people within the drone community have grown tired of hearing about the Federal Communications Commission’s December 23 action that restricted the import of new foreign-made drones into the United States. But today, I want…
Jersey Shore’s ‘Drone Ranger’ Has Saved 122 Missing Pets
These drones really are the cat’s meow, and occasionally the cow’s moo. Along the Jersey Shore, while most people worry about beach traffic and seagulls stealing fries, Michael Parziale is launching drones to bring missing pets home. Parziale, 64, a…
Skydio X10 Drone Becomes First on Scene in Fairfax County Police Calls
A Skydio X10 drone reached a potentially dangerous 911 call in Fairfax County, Virginia, in just 57 seconds, arriving before any patrol officer and fundamentally changing how police handled the situation. The call came in near Fair Oaks Mall, where…
DJI Drone Finds Couple After Ice Rescue on Saginaw Bay
A DJI Matrice 400 drone equipped with a dual payload played a decisive role in rescuing two people who fell through the ice on Saginaw Bay Wednesday evening, after their snowmobile broke through more than a mile from shore, as…
St. Cloud DFR’s 200 Flights Prove BVLOS Works, But at What Cost?
I’ve been tracking Florida’s disastrous DJI drone ban for over a year, and the bill is finally coming due. When we first reported on St. Cloud’s $890,000 Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program last month, the story was about…
FCC Chair Brendan Carr Takes Victory Lap at CES: The Stage Where DJI Built America’s Drone Culture
Two weeks ago, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr signed the order that effectively killed DJI’s future in America. On Thursday, he’ll take the stage at CES 2026, the very show where DJI spent a decade building its brand, for a “fireside…
DJI Matrice Drone Used in Campbellsville Missing Person Search
A missing man in Campbellsville, Kentucky, was located safely Thursday night after a coordinated multi agency search that included UAV drone operations, ground teams, and emergency alerts. Campbellsville Fire Rescue confirmed the subject was found less than a quarter mile…
Wichita Police Drone Tracks Circle K Robbery Suspect
Wichita police arrested a 46 year old man early Friday morning after an armed robbery at a Circle K convenience store, with a Skydio X10 police drone playing a decisive role in locating and capturing the suspect, as reported by…
Police Test Autonomous DFR Drones in Grand Chute
Autonomous drones are no longer a future promise for law enforcement. In Grand Chute, Wisconsin, police are already letting software and sensors arrive before squad cars. Since April 2025, the Grand Chute Police Department has been running a pilot drone…
Drone Rescue, XPrize Wildfire Competition, 4-Hour Flight Record, and FAA Waiver Changes
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update. I have four stories for you this week that show just how much is happening in this industry right now, from a life-saving rescue in Kentucky to regulatory changes you need to know…
Drone Helps Rescue Lost Hiker in Oregon Woods
A lost hiker was safely rescued in the McKenzie Bridge area of Oregon on December 26 thanks to a coordinated search effort that included drone technology, infrared imaging, and ground crews navigating difficult terrain. The operation highlights how unmanned aircraft…
FEMA’s $500M Counter-Drone Program Launches With World Cup Funding
I’ve been tracking the expansion of police counter-drone capabilities for months, and what just happened is bigger than the headlines suggest. Missouri received $14.24 million in federal funding for World Cup drone security, but that’s not the real story. The…