DRONES IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
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Flying Lion, Beverly Hills DFR Drone Launch
DRONES
INTRODUCTION
Professionals working in fields like public safety, law enforcement, and emergency services need all the tools they can get to keep people and property safe. That’s why, historically, these industries have embraced new technologies to help them do their critical work.
According to the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, “Since at least the 1920s, the United States has seen law enforcement adopt new technologies, such as fingerprinting, two-way radios, and databases, to improve their productivity and effectiveness.” At the same time, fire fighters and public safety groups have embraced new technologies—including Morse Code, airplanes, helicopters, and radio telephony—to improve communications, add speed and efficiency to operations, and keep responders and citizens safe. At the end of the 20th century, computer technology and the Internet gave public safety and emergency services professionals even more tools to aid their important efforts.
Today, drones and related systems have opened up new worlds for these professionals, allowing them to make their work faster, safer, and more successful.
This report will look at how public safety, law enforcement, and emergency services professionals are adopting new technology in our current age of robotics and autonomy. Specifically, the report will detail how organizations and agencies around the world are deploying drones and drone-related systems and how new technological advances, such as Drones as First Responder (DFR) systems, are taking public safety efforts to new levels. In addition, the report will describe some of the challenges facing groups looking to add drones to their work and provide practical advice on how to best adopt these new systems.
OVERVIEW OF THE DRONES IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES SECTOR
As more and more industries and governments embrace drone technology, the market for drones and related systems will continue to grow. According to 2024 data from Drone Industry Insights, the global drone market is set to reach US $54.6 billion by 2030, with the commercial segment outpacing overall growth at a 7.7% CAGR.
Drilling down on the public safety and emergency services sector, a recent report from Spherical Insights & Consulting asserted that the Global Public Safety Drone Market Size will increase from “USD 1.6 billion in 2023 to USD 4.1 billion by 2033, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.87% during the forecast period.” The report stated that growth in the sector is “fueled by the rising demand for drones in emergency response, law enforcement, firefighting, and disaster management.” Spherical Insights & Consulting lists the key drivers of the growth as “advancements in AI, thermal imaging, and real-time data analytics, which improve operational efficiency.” Moreover, the report stated, “Governments across the globe are increasing investments in drone technology, leading to greater adoption for surveillance, search and rescue, and crowd control.”
Similarly, KBV Research said “the North America Public Safety Drone Market would witness market growth of 11.9% CAGR during the forecast period (2023-2030).” An increased emphasis on border security is one of the factors spurring growth, particularly in the US and in Canada. “Drones are becoming essential tools for border control since they increase the operational efficiency and effectiveness of border surveillance systems while using wireless charging technology and little money,” KBV said. Looking at the numbers, the research firm said that “The US market dominated the North America Public Safety Drone Market by Country in 2022, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2030; thereby, achieving a market value of $711.2 million by 2030. The Canadian market is experiencing a CAGR of 14.4% during (2023 - 2030). Additionally, The Mexico market would exhibit a CAGR of 13.4% during (2023 - 2030).”
HOW DRONES ARE USED IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
As detailed above, companies and government agencies increasingly invest in drone technology. At the same time, law enforcement, public safety, and emergency services professionals are finding new ways to use these versatile systems.
Here are just a few examples of drones playing critical roles in public safety and emergency management operations:
■ Drones played a significant role in search, rescue, and recovery efforts during and after hurricanes Helene and Milton hit the Southeastern US in 2024. A Popular Science article reported that local officials and first responders deployed drones to “aid in search and rescue missions and overall damage assessment.” Many of these UAVs carried thermal imaging camera payloads to “help rescue teams spot heat signatures of missing people who may otherwise be obstructed by debris.” In addition, high-resolution cameras attached to drones were flown to capture photos and video “of broken bridges, downed power lines, and other crumbling infrastructure” and to “help officials prioritize aid efforts and bring much-needed electricity and communications equipment back online.”
■ In the Czech Republic, Central Bohemian Police used DataFromSky’s FLOW and TrafficSurvey technologies to measure and analyze road traffic and driving dynamics extensively. By capturing more than 100,000 vehicles from a drone, the company concluded that more than 40% of the drivers were found to drive closer than the recommended 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front.
■ To help first responders do their work and keep students safe, campus police officers at Northwest Florida State College have instituted a drone unit that will use uncrewed vehicles to “aid in searching for missing people, assessing traffic accidents, photographing crime scenes and mapping evacuation routes.” According to a report in University Business, Northwest Florida State College “invested an estimated $9,000 to purchase four drones and train officers to pilot the systems.”
■ According to a report in OpenGov Asia, the Precision Medic Drone project in Indonesia uses UAVs “designed to address logistical challenges in disaster-stricken areas.” The report stated that these drones are “small, agile, and capable of carrying up to 10 kilograms of supplies.” Moreover, the vehicle “leverages advanced digital navigation and control systems to achieve precise landings using a helipad QR code, eliminating the need for specialized landing stations.” The project was created in the wake of a “devastating earthquake in Cianjur, which severely disrupted ground transportation and hindered the delivery of medical supplies to affected areas.”
■ Police in the town of Bee Cave, Texas, are adding autonomous drones to their toolkit. A story from KXAN said that “the department partnered with Austin start-up, Eve Vehicles Corporation, which will allow for enhanced first responder capabilities.” Eve Vehicles’ Roger Pecina explained that Bee Cave’s drones will be equipped with parachutes that will automatically deploy in case of a problem.
■ In Florida, Tampa General Hospital, Manatee County, and Archer First Response Systems began a drone program to deliver AEDs, tourniquets, and Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose. The program initially covers a 7-square-mile area, and EMS dispatchers deploy the drones, which are monitored by drone pilots.
■ The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District has added DFR systems to its emergency response toolbox. As explained by the San Bernadino Sun, “When the caller is able to identify a specific vehicle, building or brushy area that is afire, the engines are dispatched along with a drone, which can hit 40 mph.” Looking forward, district officials are seeking to add robots to search collapsed buildings and below-ground areas, as well as submersible technology for investigations of rivers and lakes. San Bernadino’s program was inspired by the highly successful DFR program operated by the Chula Vista Police Department.
■ For the 2024 college “spring break” period, the Miami Beach Police Department used drones to monitor crowds and assist with “traffic, staffing, and public safety.” In the past, the department has used its fleet of Skydio S2+, X2, and X10 drones “for traffic monitoring, accident reconstruction, and overwatch for large-scale public events,” including Art Week 2023 and New Year’s Eve.
REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION
The examples presented in the previous section highlight the many ways public safety and emergency response groups are using drone technology to keep people and property safe and even save lives. For this work to continue and grow, many things must happen, particularly in the areas of government rules and regulations and public acceptance of drone technology.
Concerning regulations, many countries around the world have worked to evolve their policies to help critical personnel adopt drones in their work. Regulatory agencies like the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US have established rules regarding all manner of drone flights. Unfortunately, many drone operators find these rules overly restricting or confusing, and issues around drone regulations have hampered further adoption.
BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SITE
Those working in the public safety and emergency management space share a concern with commercial drone operators around rules that govern drone flights beyond the visual line of site of the operator. Known in the industry as BVLOS flights, these operations are crucial to public safety work. Simply put, the longer and farther public safety groups can fly their drones, the more area they can cover, the longer they can collect data and monitor situations, and the better able they are to reduce risks to people and property.
In the US, those wishing to fly their drones beyond visual line of site can apply for waivers from the FAA. To make the process easier and clearer, the FAA is currently working to produce a new set of rules regarding BVLOS flights. Known as Part 108, these rules will standardize BVLOS operations and make it possible for public safety and emergency services groups to perform more complex operations.
POSSIBLE DJI BAN
Another regulatory matter affecting public safety and emergency services drone programs involves a possible ban on Chinese-made drones in the US. Claiming that these systems pose a security risk to the US, many government officials and legislators have pushed to add vehicles made by DJI, Autel, and others to the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) Covered List, meaning that new models of drones would be effectively prohibited from operating on communications networks in the US. Many states have also taken action to ban or restrict the use of Chinese-made systems.
These moves are especially concerning because DJI manufactures the most widely used vehicle for public safety and emergency services operations. Many drone industry advocacy groups have opposed an immediate ban.
At the same time, others see the potential ban as an opportunity for non-Chinese drone manufacturers. As stated in a Police 1 article, the potential absence of DJI drones from the market could “spark an arms race” among manufacturers like Skydio, BRINC, and Flock Safety that could lead to the development of “superior products tailored for public safety use.”
PUBLIC PERCEPTION
Despite the countless examples of drones being used for the public good, worries remain regarding the safety of drone operations and whether these vehicles are violating privacy and compromising individual security.
The rash of unidentified aerial vehicle sightings in the Northeastern US during the later part of 2024 and early 2025 highlighted these concerns. Citizens were confused and nervous about these sightings and, despite statements from government officials that the aerial vehicles did not pose a threat, many were unconvinced.
Still, as a Commercial UAV News article pointed out, “Drones may be small, but their impact is anything but. By embracing their positive contributions and fostering informed discussions about their use, we can ensure that this technology continues to serve as a force for good.” Public safety, law enforcement, and emergency response groups that rely on uncrewed technology to do their critical work need to do a better job of telling their success stories and easing public concerns around drone missions.
THE FUTURE OF DRONES IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
As this report has shown, the future for drone use in public safety and emergency services is bright. Increased investment, rapidly improving technology, regulatory changes, and shifts in public acceptance will accelerate the use of uncrewed systems in this sector and contribute to greater success.
Improvements in the use of drones in these sectors can already be seen through advances in Drones as First Responder (DFR) systems. Simply put DRF systems let police, fire, emergency response, and other safety professionals take advantage of a range of technologies, including drones, to provide better situation awareness, which allow for faster response times and reduced risks to people, property, and personnel.
Last year, BRINC and Echodyne announced a collaboration that lowers the barrier to entry for public safety agencies looking to start or expand a DFR program. Their system integrates Echodyne’s advanced MESA® radar technology into BRINC’s purpose-built DFR solution, giving public safety agencies a complete drone solution at their fingertips.
Similarly, drone service provider Flying Lion, Inc. announced that it had flown 55,773 DFR flights by the end of 2024. In their announcement, Flying Lion reported that 35,000 of those flights were flown BVLOS. The company asserted that its DFR system help support de-escalation strategies and allow critical teams to get on-scene first before ground units an average of 74% of the time.
As artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and other advancing technologies become more integrated into public safety and emergency response work in the years to come, look for more of these success stories.
Meet the Authors
JEREMIAH KARPOWICZ Editorial Director
SCOTT HOWE Staff Writer
JOÃO ANTUNES Staff Writer