BRINC, Skyfire partner to advance drones as first responders

Public safety technology developer BRINC is joining forces with drone consulting company Skyfire to provide regulatory support, equipment, software, and training to law enforcement and emergency response agencies deploying drones.

The partnership will help agencies get the necessary permissions and training to start drone programs, including approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The goal is to establish the best ways for agencies to use drones as first responders (DFR) in the US. These programs aim to help emergency response teams by reducing the time it takes to respond to 911 calls and improving how quickly they can handle calls.

Using drone technology can make a big difference in how first responders work. DFR programs can help in several ways, including:

• Making it quicker to respond to 911 calls, with drones arriving at the scene in less than 70 seconds on average.
• Helping clear calls faster, with drones clearing 25% of 911 calls on their own.
• Prioritizing calls to reduce the time it takes for first responders to arrive at the scene by half and decrease the time it takes for them to get there by 54%.

“As first responders seek to improve their day-to-day operations, having access to technology that both increases efficiency and officer safety will play a crucial role in their success,” says Blake Resnick, founder and CEO of BRINC. “Our partnership with Skyfire is aimed at addressing this need, offering key support to agencies that will fast-track the development of drone programs.”

Skyfire is known for its expertise in public safety drones and its support for law enforcement agencies in all 50 states. As Matt Sloane, founder and CEO of Skyfire, puts it, “Drone-as-first-responder is on course to change the way that first responders keep communities safe in the most profound way since the introduction of the police helicopter. Together with BRINC, we look to set the standard for how these programs operate for every agency across the country, enabling law enforcement and EMS workers to act quickly and decisively in the face of emergent events.”

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