How fast can a drone respond to a 911 call? In some departments, the answer is under 60 seconds, and the software making that possible just passed 10 million processed calls.
US-based drone maker Skydio says its Drone as First Responder (DFR) Command software platform, known as DFRC, has now processed more than 10 million calls for service. That milestone underscores just how embedded drone operations are becoming inside everyday public safety workflows across the country.
DFR Command isn’t just flight software. It’s the operational backbone agencies use to run their drone programs. At the heart of it is Skydio’s Flight Deck, where pilots manage missions and fly drones. But what makes the system stand out is what’s happening inside that interface: live calls for service pulled directly from the tools agencies already use.
Instead of toggling between dispatch screens, mapping tools, and drone controls, operators see incidents flowing straight into Flight Deck. That includes integrations with more than 25 public safety systems, spanning Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), next-generation 911 (NG911), gunshot detection, automatic license plate readers, body-worn cameras, digital evidence systems, and real-time crime centers.
On the CAD side, DFRC connects with major providers including Motorola Solutions, Versaterm, CentralSquare, Hexagon, Tyler Technologies, Mark43, and several others. When a call comes in, it appears instantly inside Flight Deck. The system can automatically generate real-time augmented reality markers and allow operators to direct a drone to the location without manually typing in an address.
That kind of automation shaves off critical seconds, or even minutes, in high-stakes situations.
The integration goes even further upstream with NG911 platforms like RapidSOS, Prepared, and Live911. These systems provide real-time transcription, summarization, and contextual data from active emergency calls inside Public Safety Answering Points. In some cases, drones can be dispatched before an incident is even formally created in CAD.
That early launch capability can dramatically shorten response times.
“Our response time is under sixty seconds. So while you are still typing the call into the CAD in another jurisdiction, we’ve already got the drone on the scene of the call,” says Captain Abrem Ayana of the Brookhaven Police Department, describing a fully integrated DFR workflow. “That’s DFR.”
DFRC also listens to more than just dispatch entries. Through integration with SoundThinking, drones can automatically launch to gunshot detection alerts — sometimes even before a 911 call is placed. The idea is simple: get eyes on the scene as quickly as possible to assess injuries, identify suspects, and guide responding officers.
Other integrations allow for one-click drone dispatch when an officer activates an alert through Axon Body cameras. If an unauthorized drone is detected via Dedrone systems, DFRC can send a Skydio drone to locate the operator. License plate reader alerts can also trigger drone responses based on real-time location data.
The platform’s open API means agencies aren’t locked into one vendor ecosystem. They can connect DFRC to the systems they already rely on.
During flight, live video can be streamed through Skydio’s ReadyLink to any web browser. It can also feed directly into real-time crime center platforms such as Fusus, Motorola Command Aware, STRAX, and third-party systems like DroneSense, Genetec, and Milestone. That gives command staff and partner agencies immediate aerial intelligence while incidents are still unfolding.
After the drone lands, the workflow continues. DFRC automatically uploads footage into digital evidence management systems like Axon Evidence, maintaining chain-of-custody standards and CJIS compliance requirements.
Skydio executives emphasize that while the company has a close working relationship with Axon, its integration strategy is much broader. “Skydio DFR Command integrates with any CAD or NG911 system an agency relies on, including platforms from Motorola and many others,” says Callan Carpenter, Skydio’s chief revenue officer.
With more than 10 million calls processed and over 25 integrated public safety systems, Skydio’s DFR Command is positioning itself as one of the most widely deployed and trusted DFR platforms in the United States.
More: DJI distributor admits illegal drone price restrictions
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments