Drone-based avalanche control is stepping toward wider adoption in the US. Drone Amplified says the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved operations of its MONTIS drone-based avalanche control system, giving transportation agencies, ski resorts, and other organizations a clear regulatory path to use drones for controlled avalanche mitigation.
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For years, the Mexican city of Celaya was known for all the wrong reasons. Once ranked among the country’s most dangerous cities, it struggled with violent crime and an emergency response system that often left police reacting instead of preventing incidents. Now, city officials say a combination of autonomous drone technology and integrated command-and-control systems is helping rewrite that story.
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As drone programs become a bigger part of policing, firefighting, and emergency response across the US, keeping clean records of every mission is turning into a serious challenge. This is why drone fleet management platform AirData has announced a new integration that automatically captures and organizes flight data from BRINC’s Lemur 2 and Responder drones. The goal is simple: help public safety agencies create complete mission records without forcing pilots to do extra paperwork after every flight.
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UK drone solutions provider Coptrz is teaming up with Amsterdam-based drone maker Avy for emergency services and defense sectors. The deal is designed to unlock long-endurance, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations — something governments worldwide are racing to scale.
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Law enforcement agencies across the United States are increasingly encountering drones at public gatherings, emergency scenes, and sensitive locations. And as those encounters grow more common, officers on the ground need quick, reliable ways to understand what’s flying nearby. That’s the challenge Zing Drone Solutions hopes to address with a new handheld device called Z-SCAN MINI.
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In a big step toward smarter, safer streets, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has launched the city’s first-ever Drone Operations Committee. The announcement came this week, with Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry named as chair of the new initiative.
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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.
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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.
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One-click drone 3D modeling specialist SkyeBrowse has rolled out three AI-powered updates designed to make 3D modeling faster and easier for drone pilots and first responders. These tools simplify scene reconstruction, allowing users to generate detailed 3D models with minimal effort.
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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.
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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.
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Flying Lion announced it recently hit over 55,000 Drone As A First Responder flights. After pioneering the idea of using drones as first responders, the company has now rolled out a wide range of services that other communities can use.
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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.
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The Campbell Police Department in California has become the first to receive a special waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations as part of its Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program. This groundbreaking approval allows the department to fly drones during nighttime too.
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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.
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Public safety drone consulting specialist Skyfire has announced its acquisition by Echelon AI, a company that develops advanced AI algorithms for drones. The two companies will combine to form SkyfireAI, a new entity aimed at propagating the use of AI in drone technologies for public safety and global defense applications.
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Drone fleet management platform AirData has announced integration with Teledyne FLIR’s dual payload professional aircraft SIRAS. The partnership aims to enhance public safety and industrial missions by streamlining data management and operational readiness for drone users.
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So, 2024 is quickly shaping into the year of ultra-capable yet ultra-lightweight nano drones. After HoverAir X1 Pro Max and DJI Neo, drone maker Vantage Robotics has unveiled Trace, a new pocket-sized drone for covert aerial reconnaissance. Trace weighs only 153 grams but carries a multi-camera system and can fly for up to 30 minutes with a single battery.
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Public safety drone technology specialist BRINC has partnered with mission-critical communications software developer HigherGround to enable real-time 911 call streaming.
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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.
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Canadian drone maker Draganfly is joining forces with US-based robotics and AI specialist Knightscope to offer highly advanced autonomous aerial platforms to public safety agencies.
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Drone-based response and air-to-ground surveillance with thermal imaging are becoming increasingly important to police investigations. However, procuring an advanced drone model that can assist with public safety jobs can be quite an investment. This is why Teledyne FLIR has teamed up with PoliceGrantsHelp.com to help police agencies across the US secure grants for their drone programs.
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Communication systems and aerial tech firm Ondas Holdings has announced its Airobotics unit has secured a $2.6 million contract with Dubai to supply its Optimus drone platform for public safety and emergency response deployment.
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The innovative producer of tactical UAVs designed specifically for police, fire, and other emergency responder operators, BRINC, has announced the first deliveries of its latest LEMUR 2 drones to US public safety clients, opening a new chapter in the already eventful history of the young startup.
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