First Responder Drones
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Drone service provider Flying Lion, Inc. has achieved a major Drone as First Responder (DFR) milestone by reaching 55,773 DFR flights by the end of 2024, of which over 35,000 were flown Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).
Flying Lion supports DFR programs through FAA regulatory consulting, training, staffing, dock installation & maintenance, and equipment leasing – all of which are needed to enable communities to develop, implement, and support tailored DFR programs.
DFR programs enable the immediate dispatch of a drone from a fixed location in response to a 911 call for real-time aerial situational awareness, supporting ground units to enhance community and first responder safety.
The first DFR program is claimed to have been started by the Chula Vista Police Department in 2018, with DFR programs now extending to over 30 communities nationwide.
With drones typically arriving on-scene before ground units 74% of the time, DFR programs are helping both small and large municipalities keep their communities and first responders safer.
Flying Lion reportedly supports over half of the DFR Programs nationwide, partnering with leading DFR vendors for both operations and training, including: AirData UAV, Airspace Link, AVSS, BRINC Drones, DJI, DroneSense, Flock Aerodome, Hextronics, MatrixSpace, Motorola CAPE, Nokia Drone Networks, Skydio, TruWeather Solutions, uAvionix, and VOTIX.
Chief Charles Werner, founder of DRONERESPONDERS, stated, “DFR programs save lives! Flying Lion is a true leader in the DFR space, not only advocating for DFR adoption nationally but also working with individual communities to develop their own DFR programs.”
Barry Brennan, Flying Lion President & Founder, added, “We expect DFR programs will more than double in 2025 – and we’re well positioned to provide the FAA Regulatory services for BVLOS approvals along with DFR consulting, DFR Tactics Training, and operational expertise. We’re proud to partner with the leading DFR software and hardware providers who built the enabling technology – these DFR programs are keeping community members, first responders, and even suspects safer every day.”
