As drones become increasingly integral to public safety operations, the need for robust safety measures has never been more critical. In a recent episode of the Dawn of Autonomy podcast, featuring Amir Lavi, Head of Marketing for ParaZero Technologies and Allan Yanow, Director of Operations at Public Safety UAS (PSU), explored the future of drones in public safety and how innovative safety systems and effective training programs help to pave the way for expanded first responder drone use. The key takeaway: building public trust through safe operations can take the use of drone technology in emergency response and law enforcement even higher than ever before.
The Evolution of Drone Deployments in Public Safety
Drones have evolved from novelty gadgets to essential tools for first responders. Across a wide range of missions, first responders employ drones more than ever. They use a range of different modalities to do so, including: tactical deployments, drone as first responder (DFR) and drone-in-a-box (DIB).
Tactical Deployments
Many agencies launch drones from vehicles or other mobile platforms in what they refer to as “tactical deployments.” This allows for rapid deployment in dynamic situations. The New York Police Department (NYPD) exemplifies this trend. NYPD leverages drone technology for tactical operations, such as crowd monitoring and traffic accident reconstruction, among others.
Drone as First Responder (DFR)
DFR programs, where agencies deploy automatically to 911 calls, continue to gain traction. These programs allow agencies to get eyes on the scene quickly, often before ground units arrive. According to statistics from pioneering programs like Chula Vista Police Department, up to one in four calls can be cleared by drones alone.
Yanow explained, “From what I’ve seen, (agencies are) drones deploying to calls for service instead of or in tandem with law enforcement officers on the ground.” These programs have revolutionized response by providing rapid situational awareness and reducing unnecessary deployments of human resources.
Autonomous Operations
The future of public safety drones lies in more autonomous capabilities, such as “drone-in-a-box” (DIB) solutions. Using DIB, drones can deploy automatically from fixed locations. These have become more prevalent, and according to both Yanow and Lavi, we should expect to see DIB grow over time.
Making a Difference One Mission At A Time
From a mission standpoint, and as we look ahead to 2025, several key trends have emerged in the use of drones for public safety. While drones continue to make a difference across a wide range of missions, we highlight a few key ones here.
Search and Rescue (SAR)
Thermal cameras and other specialized payloads make drones invaluable for SAR operations. For instance, in a recent case in Louisiana, a 10-year-old girl was found using a drone equipped with thermal imaging capabilities.
Disaster Response & Damage Assessment
Drones have also become indispensable tools in disaster response. By providing real-time aerial imagery, emergency teams can swiftly assess situations and effectively allocate resources. For example, during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors provided real-time aerial imagery of flooded areas. This helped emergency teams assess damage, locate stranded individuals and prioritize resource allocation.
Fire Response
Firefighters often employ drones to provide aerial views of burning structures and help locate victims. Globally, drones have become indispensable tools in combating wildfires by providing real-time aerial imagery, monitoring fire behavior and enhancing firefighter safety.
Crowd Control, Event Security and More
The ability to quickly deploy small, portable drones with long loiter times has changed how agencies approach event security. Drones offer a more agile and cost-effective alternative to helicopters for monitoring large events and crowds.
Lavi pointed out, “In the past we needed helicopters up there that needed two pilots plus one to operate the camera. It also had to go back to base to fuel up.” He continued, “If we can get a small drone that can fold into a suitcase… and just arrive on scene, pop it up, and see that everything is okay every 5, 10, 20 minutes, that’s huge!” As a result, police departments worldwide now integrate drones into their operations for surveillance.
All of these missions in complex environments require the ability to safely fly over people. As public safety agencies increasingly adopt drones, they have renewed their focus on ensuring their safe and responsible deployment.
Building Public Trust Through Safety
While drones hold immense potential for good, their use also carries inherent risks. One of the most significant challenges facing the widespread adoption of drones in public safety is public perception.
Yanow aptly noted, “We’re seeing the success stories on the news…. but we’ve also seen drones falling out of the skies at shows. We have a responsibility to our communities because drones can be dangerous.”
Lavi added, “Imagine if you’re a police officer, you pop up your drone and something happens. You crashed and hit someone. There is a trust between the men and women in service and the community that becomes broken if something like that happens.”
Agencies can foster greater public acceptance by leveraging safety technologies and implementing robust safety programs to demonstrate their commitment to responsible drone use.
ParaZero’s SafeAir System: Upping the Game for Drone Safety
For example, ParaZero’s SafeAir system, opens the door to more complex and critical missions by providing an additional layer of safety. The system has three core components to offer peace of mind to both the deploying officer and the public:
- Ballistic parachute: Rapidly deploys in case of flight anomalies.
- SmartAir: A sophisticated computer with over 10 sensors constantly monitoring flight parameters that identifies flight problems (such as sudden loss of descent, excessive roll, or motor stoppage) and automatically deploys the parachute.
- Flight termination system: Stops motors to ensure successful parachute deployment.
Yanow emphasized the importance of using a system like ParaZero’s SafeAir. “Having parachutes is not only safe for property and persons, it also helps build that public trust that we are doing the right things,” he said. “It shows that we’re being mindful in taking those precautions to ensure safety,” he continued.
PSU’s Training Programs: Instilling A Safety Mindset
As public safety drone applications expand, not only has the importance of safety systems become paramount – so too has the need for proper training. Yano emphasized, “You could be the best pilot in the world… but nothing’s going to stop a bird strike or another drone equipment failure…no matter your skill set, even if you take all of the precautions… things fail.” Pilots and operators have to be ready.
For this reason, PSU offers comprehensive drone training designed to equip public safety professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to operate drones effectively and responsibly in emergency situations. Offerings include, but are not limited to:
- UAS Operations for Public Safety Applications: This 32-hour foundational course prepares participants to establish or enhance a UAS program and sit for the FAA Part 107 remote pilot exam. It covers state-specific drone regulations and chart reading.
- Tactical UAS Operations: A 16-hour course focused on piloting during tactical operations, preparing operators to fly confidently in confined GPS-denied environments.
- UAS Search and Rescue: A two-day, 16-hour course teaching crucial components of executing successful drone search and rescue missions in various environments.
PSU emphasizes a strong safety mindset in their training programs. All courses cover: risk assessment and management techniques specific to drone operations in public safety scenarios; FAA regulations and local laws governing drone use; proper drone maintenance, pre-flight checks, and emergency procedures to mitigate technical failures and situational awareness of surroundings, including potential hazards and privacy concerns. PSU courses also include hands-on flight exercises and real-world simulations to reinforce safe operating procedures.
Together, the partnership of ParaZero and PSU provides a comprehensive approach to safety which can bolster public trust and help to enable more advanced drone operations for first responders.
The Future of Drone Deployment in Public Safety: A Safer Sky for All
As we move further into what Lavi calls “the drone era” in public safety, it’s clear that the future will be increasingly airborne. As we look towards 2025 and beyond, the integration of drones in public safety operations seems not just likely, but inevitable. As drones become more integrated into public safety operations, the focus on safety, training and responsible use will only intensify. Looking ahead, both ParaZero and PSU both have ambitious plans for this year.
ParaZero continues to develop new models to support the latest drones. According to Lavi, the company is also working on applications to provide operators with more flight insights and exploring how its parachute deployment technology can be adapted for “soft kill” options against hostile drones.
For its part, PSU is expanding its training offerings globally. With recent international deployments as far as Taiwan, it already has upcoming courses booked in Canada. Yanow revealed the company also just launched a new student portal to streamline access to its courses.
With over 10,000 ParaZero units deployed across five continents and PSU’s expanding training programs, these two companies have set a strong foundation for a safer, more effective integration of drones into public safety operations worldwide.
Lavi explained, “We want to get to the situation where every unit, every officer, every squad will have their tools, their eyes in the sky… from people going lost in the wilderness to SWAT teams… to assisting fire departments in locating people in burned buildings.” The success of this integration will hinge on the industry’s ability to prioritize safety and build public trust.
Yanow summed up the importance of this work perfectly: “We can do so many great things with drones, but if we’re not doing it safely, then do the ends justify the means?”
As the industry continues to innovate and expand, the focus on safety will remain paramount, to ensure that the skies of tomorrow are not just more efficient, but safer for all. ParaZero’s SafeAir system and companies like PSU, lead the charge in this effort…and will be crucial in shaping the future of drone use in emergency services.
By: Dawn Zoldi