Ohio state has selected nine public safety agencies to participate in its Ohio Statewide Drone First Responder (DFR) Pilot Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to expand rapid aerial response capabilities across communities of all sizes. Created under Ohio House Bill 96, the Ohio Statewide DFR Pilot Program enables participating agencies to deploy state-approved, NDAA-compliant drone systems capable of rapid launch, real-time video streaming to command staff, and integration into Ohio’s emerging uncrewed aircraft traffic management framework, led by Ohio-based CAL Analytics.
The programme, led by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and DriveOhio, with program management support from SkyfireAI will equip first responders with innovative tools that improve situational awareness, enhance officer and responder safety, and reduce emergency response times. The following agencies have been selected to participate in the pilot programme: City of Springfield Police/Fire/EMS; Athens Police Department; Lima Police Department; Toledo Police Department; Violet Township Fire/EMS; Austintown Fire Department; City of Hamilton Police/Fire/EMS; Amherst Police Department; Village of Kelleys Island Fire/EMS.
“Together, these agencies represent a diverse cross-section of Ohio, spanning urban centers, suburban communities, and rural jurisdictions — reinforcing the program’s goal of ensuring access to advanced emergency response capabilities statewide,” according to a SkyfireAI press release. Many of the selected agencies have also committed to sharing drone resources with neighboring jurisdictions, further expanding the impact of this programme.
“With technology known as drone-in-a-box, a drone can be launched from a permanent docking site and be flown remotely to a scene,” said Skyfire AI. “These pre-positioned drones provide real-time visual information to aid decision-making, and some can also drop critical medical supplies to the scene of an emergency. The program emphasizes operational readiness, standardized training, and responsible use, while maintaining a strong focus on community engagement and transparency.”
Selected agencies will participate in a structured onboarding process beginning in early 2026, including hands-on vendor demonstrations, training, and program coordination. Operations are expected to begin in Spring 2026 and continue for approximately a year. The pilot programme will evaluate operational effectiveness, response outcomes, and opportunities for future expansion.
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(Image: Skyfire)
