DFR

Dubai Police has officially teamed up with AirHub, a Netherlands-based drone software company specializing in drone operations, situational awareness, fleet management, and compliance. The strategic partnership will help Dubai Police to elevate its already advanced drone operations.

Arlington, Texas is stepping up its crime-fighting game from the skies.

The Arlington Police Department (APD) has announced a major expansion of its Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program, designed to get officers real-time information before they even arrive on scene. The idea is simple but powerful: when a 911 call comes in, APD drone pilots can instantly launch a drone to the location, giving officers a live aerial view of what’s happening while they’re still en route.

In a major tech upgrade for emergency response teams, SkyeBrowse and Paladin have partnered to bring real-time 3D modeling to Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs — eliminating delays and giving first responders eyes on the scene before they arrive.

Flock Safety is taking emergency response to new heights — literally. The Atlanta-based tech company just announced a game-changing update: drones that launch the second a 911 call comes in. It’s called Flock911 for Aerodome, and it’s officially the first system in the US that allows police drones to deploy based on a live 911 call — before it’s even entered into dispatch.

First responders looking to improve their drone skills just got a groundbreaking new training ground. Drone service provider Flying Lion has unveiled FLI Town, the nation’s first dedicated Drone as First Responder (DFR) training center. This state-of-the-art facility is designed for police, fire, and emergency teams to sharpen their drone skills in real-world scenarios — all in a safe and controlled environment.

California’s Elk Grove Police Department (EGPD) is officially soaring to new heights — literally. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted EGPD a groundbreaking Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver, making them the first law enforcement agency in the US to fly drones at 400 feet across an entire city — without human spotters.

US drone maker Skydio has unveiled the nation’s first comprehensive study on Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations, shedding light on how drones are transforming public safety. The study analyzed 1,779 flights across various jurisdictions — from bustling metropolitan areas to quiet rural counties — between September 15 and November 14, 2024. The findings highlight the pivotal role drones play in enhancing law enforcement efficiency, ensuring officer and community safety, and providing critical situational awareness.

Drone service provider Flying Lion has marked an impressive milestone in public safety innovation. By the end of 2024, the organization completed 55,773 Drone as First Responder (DFR) flights, with over 35,000 conducted Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). These flights form part of a growing national effort to enhance emergency response and community safety.

Drones as First Responder (DFR) tech specialist Aerodome has been acquired by Flock Safety, a company known for its public safety tech. The move brings Aerodome’s advanced drone capabilities into Flock Safety’s portfolio, aiming to make emergency responses quicker and safer for law enforcement.

Drone manufacturer Skydio has launched DFR Command, a software solution that aims to simplify how public safety agencies deploy drones in emergency situations. According to the company, it’s the world’s first software solution built to start, operate, and grow Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs.

Public safety drone technology specialist BRINC has partnered with advanced radar solutions provider Echodyne to push the boundaries of drone operations for emergency services. This collaboration aims to enable fully automated drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without the need for visual observers — a current requirement under FAA regulations.

Axon, the company that invented Taser stun guns, is joining forces with drone maker Skydio to deliver a scalable Drone as a First Responder (DFR) solution.

Drones as First Responder (DFR) tech specialist Aerodome has secured $21.5 million in Series A funding to enhance its solutions and expand its engineering and go-to-market teams. The funding round, led by CRV with contributions from Andreessen Horowitz, Karman Ventures, Immad Akhund, and Ford Street Ventures, brings Aerodome’s total funding to $28 million since its seed round in October 2023.

US drone maker BRINC has unveiled a new nested drone solution designed specifically for Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations. The company says its Responder drone can be auto-dispatched from its charging station in under 5 seconds, which allows it to arrive at a 911 call location in less than 70 seconds.

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.

Drone fleet management platform AirData says it is encouraging law enforcement transparency by making more public-facing features available to community-oriented police departments across the US. The company’s Public Portal program boosts public trust by improving accountability in drone use.

Drone public safety and emergency program consultancy Skyfire is taking a major step beyond its habitual advisory activities to police and fire departments by offering its own drone first responder (DFR) services as an outsourced solution to assembling in-house UAV units.