First responders

Drones with advanced thermal imaging and versatile capabilities are quickly becoming vital tools for law enforcement, offering a safer and more efficient way to respond to dangerous situations. In Nebraska, for instance, the technology recently helped authorities nab an armed and dangerous suspect after a high-speed chase on a frigid fall night.

US drone maker BRINC and OMADA Group are joining forces to transform water rescue operations through drone technology. The collaboration will allow public safety agencies across the US and Canada to deliver life-saving Emergency Flotation Devices (EFDs) swiftly and efficiently through drones.

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.

In a promising development for sea rescue operations, the Port of Helsinki in Finland has conducted a successful test to see if drones could transport rescue buoys to people in distress at sea. The pilot took place in Helsinki’s Eastern Harbour, Vuosaari, where a drone flew a rescue buoy to a fire department staff member acting as a victim in the water.

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.

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.

Public safety drone technology specialist BRINC has partnered with mission-critical communications software developer HigherGround to enable real-time 911 call streaming.

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.

The most recent in a long series of US government agency and legislative initiatives to squeeze DJI drones from the domestic market targets a critical user category in particular: lifesaving first responder organizations. Given the literally existential stakes that the bill poses, DJI has responded with a detailed arguments against its eventual passage into law.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has taken full advantage the city’s announcement last summer to permit increased used of drones by official and enterprise operators, and is now planning to expand that UAV activity even more.

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.

Specialized UAV public safety and emergency program consultancy Skyfire has announced the opening of its dedicated facility for drone first responder (DFR) training, covering a wide range of scenarios for existing and adopting operators.

The San Francisco East Bay Area city of Fremont is launching what is being hailed as the nation’s first drone responder program operated jointly by municipal police and fire forces, in an effort backed by specialized UAV operation, training, and security consultancy partner Skyfire.

Were there any lingering doubt about the contribution drones can make to emergency response activity, it has now been dispelled by a Lancet study of Swedish drone startup Everdrone’s performance in rushing life-saving defibrillators (AEDs) to cardiac arrest victims.

Swedish medical drone specialist Everdrone is upgrading its aerial first response capabilities with the launch of its E2 drone, a craft designed to accelerate, diversify, and improve the critical care provided in emergencies.

Public safety and emergency response organizations using drones in their work will find it easier – and much less expensive – to monitor the airspace around them during their work thanks to a new partnership between UAV remote identification tech specialist AirSentinel, and the nonprofit DroneResponders association.

Saskatoon, Canada’s most celebrated (and possibly only) drone manufacturer, Draganfly, is taking another step in its increasingly tight relationship and operational cooperation with police, fire, and other emergency aid services by hosting the Draganflyer Xperience: First Responder User Conference in Texas next week.

AirHub, a Netherlands-based drone software maker, has announced an exciting new addition to its drone management platform. Called Live Operations, AirHub’s latest offering supercharges live video streams from DJI drones and DJI Dock with features such as AI-based object detection, live telemetry data, and sharable video links.

Surf Life Saving NSW, a water safety and emergency rescue organization in Australia, is trialing new drone technology to look for missing bushwalkers or people swept into rough seas.