DRONERESPONDERS (DR) is taking a significant step towards empowering women in the field. The Women DRONERESPONDERS (WDR) Sub-Alliance will host its second official meeting during the National Public Safety UAS Conference, set for March 11, 2025, at the Festhaus in Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA. This event will bring together women leaders, operators, and advocates in public safety drone operations to share insights, strengthen networks, and spotlight the unique contributions women bring to this dynamic field.

AIRT’s DRONERESPONDERS Program has partnered with Pilot Institute — America’s Leading Drone School — to offer a specialized FAA Part 107 Exam Prep and Certificate of Authorization (COA) specifically designed for First Responders and Emergency Services Professionals operating Drones For Good®

In a significant advancement for public safety drone operations in Central America, AIRT (Airborne International Response Team) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have successfully trained and certified six pilots from the Costa Rica National Fire Service (Bomberos) as proctors for the NIST sUAS Standard Test Methods. This training initiative was conducted in support of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and its regional public safety objectives.

Public safety agencies across the U.S. increasingly rely on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, for critical operations. These versatile tools assist with search and rescue, fire response, disaster assessment, and more. However, recent events raise concerns about potential vulnerabilities in the supply chains for this technology.

A Case Study in Disruption:

The recent Chinese sanctions on Skydio, a major US drone manufacturer, serve as a cautionary tale. Skydio's reliance on a Chinese subsidiary for batteries left them scrambling after sanctions disrupted supply. This incident underscores the potential risks associated with dependence on foreign-sourced drone components.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the National Park Service Eastern Incident Management Team (EIMT) was deployed in response. Once the team was mobilized and on location, the EIMT requested a small Uncrewed Aerial System (sUAS) module to gather information quickly and safely related to damage incurred at the park. A two-person sUAS module from Acadia National Park responded, traveling to Cherokee, North Carolina.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Interim Commissioner Tom Donlon today announced the “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) program, which leverages the latest in aerial autonomous vehicle technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities as the agency fulfills its mission to keep New Yorkers safe. The DFR program is now operational in five commands in three boroughs, marking a successful expansion of the NYPD’s unmanned aircraft systems initiative. 

The Defense Innovation Unit held a three-day Blue UAS Refresh event, testing over 35 drones at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center.

The 2024 hurricane season once again showcased the devastating power of nature. However, amid the destruction, a technological marvel emerged as an invaluable tool: the drone. These aerial devices proved to be a lifeline for disaster response teams, providing critical insights and support.

UAM has the potential to transform urban transport with applications in medical services and infrastructure monitoring, but public trust and real-world utility remain key challenges.

The race for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is on, and it's not just about personal flying taxis. Emergency responders are eyeing these innovative vehicles with hope, seeing them as potential lifesavers. But who will foot the bill for integrating AAM into public safety?

The 2025 Florida Government Drone Operations Conference (FLOCON) will be held from February 4-6, 2025, at SunTrax in Auburndale, Florida.  FLOCON will unite first responders and government users of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) from across Florida to review legal requirements and best practices and learn new strategies and tactics for the use of Drones For Good®.

Program will unite stakeholders to develop a model framework for integrating AAM systems and technology to help serve all communities during times of critical need

DRONERESPONDERS Texas Emergency Response Forum at 2024 Energy Drone and Robotics Summit, June 11-12, Houston, Texas

GoAERO Prize Announces Partnership with AIRT and DRONERESPONDERS to Elevate Aerial Emergency Response Innovations

The AIRT and DRONERESPONDERS 2024 Public Safety UAS survey is now live. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey if you are a public safety remote pilot, drone operator, program manager, or other industry professional.

The 2024 DRONERESPONDERS Florida Public Safety Drone Operations Conference (FLOCON) was held February 20-22 in at SunTrax in Auburndale, FL. The event was attended by nearly 300 public safety professionals operating Drones For Good® throughout Florida and beyond.

NASA Partners with AIRT/DRONERESPONDERS to Advance Automated Air Safety Systems for the National Airspace of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

NASA announced a partnership with AIRT (DRONERESPONDERS) to research and develop automated safety processes and procedures to enable highly automated aviation response in the national airspace.

The concept of Blue UAS has emerged as one of the hottest topics impacting the U.S. drone industry over the past several years. Originally perceived by the drone industry largely as an interesting concept, Blue UAS has now emerged as the Holy Grail for many drone manufacturers and solutions providers who want to sell their products to Federal agencies – and beyond.

Join us for this DRONERESPONDERS Special Event Webinar as we take an inside look at the Blue UAS program. You'll hear directly from the people responsible for the Blue UAS program, managers from the Autonomy Portfolio at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), a United States Department of Defense (DoD) organization founded to help the U.S. military make faster use of emerging commercial technologies.