The City of Miami Police Department is proud to announce the launch of its new Drone First Responder (DFR) program, an initiative aimed at safely getting eyes on the scene ahead of responding police officers.
Operated remotely by a trained DFR pilot, the drone provides a bird’s-eye view of the scene, enabling early assessment of threats, hazards, or developing incidents. Once a 911 call is received, the Drone First Responder (DFR) pilot deploys the high-tech drone from headquarters. DFR has the capability to arrive on scene faster than ground units, giving officers critical, real-time intelligence before they arrive. Furthermore, DFR can provide an aerial perspective, crucial for traffic rerouting and guiding officers to incident locations.
The Drone First Responder is a game-changer. It will protect both our officers and the community, increasing safety outcomes for everyone involved.
The DFR pilot is responsible for:
• Relaying imminent threats or hazards to responding officers.
• Identifying crime scenes, traffic crashes, and perimeter searches.
• Supporting search operations, including missing persons and water rescues by deploying flotation devices when necessary.