The Fort Worth Police Department has launched a new Drone as First Responder program aimed at improving emergency response times and providing officers with real-time information before they arrive at a scene.
The department announced the technology-driven initiative this week, saying it will use remotely piloted drones to respond to emergency calls and provide responding personnel with live aerial intelligence.
The program utilizes Drone as First Responder technology developed by Flock Safety. Drones are deployed from docking stations and operated remotely, enabling them to reach incident sites and relay information to first responders quickly.
According to the department, the system is designed to support faster decision-making, improve situational awareness, and enhance coordination among emergency personnel.
Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia joined representatives from Flock Safety during the program’s launch event, where officials outlined how the technology will strengthen department operations and support modern emergency response efforts.
The demonstration included a live drone deployment, automated launch and landing procedures, and real-time video footage captured by the aircraft.
The launch comes weeks after the Dallas Police Department rolled out a similar Drone as First Responder program.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Dallas deployed eight remotely operated drones stationed at Dallas Fire-Rescue facilities throughout the city. The drones are operated through the department’s Fusion/Real-Time Crime Center and can respond to incidents within a 2-mile radius of their assigned locations.
The Dallas program is intended to allow drone pilots to arrive virtually at emergency scenes before officers traveling by vehicle, providing live aerial information to personnel en route. Officials have said the technology can help determine whether additional resources are needed, reduce unnecessary responses, and improve officer safety.
Dallas Fire-Rescue has also incorporated drones into its operations. Officials said the aircraft can be dispatched ahead of fire crews to provide commanders with an aerial assessment of a fire before personnel arrive.
Each Dallas drone is equipped with a thermal camera for nighttime operations and a loudspeaker to communicate with people at incident scenes.
Officials in both cities have highlighted drone technology as a tool to enhance public safety, improve operational efficiency, and provide first responders with more information during critical incidents.
