As Drone as First Responder (DFR) program become more commonplace across the United States, local governments and companies are forming partnerships to provide the support needed for public safety agencies to take advantage of the technology.
Announced on Wednesday (Oct. 8), the Ohio Drone First Responder Pilot Program represents the first statewide deployment of DFR technology in the country. Created under Ohio House Bill 96, the two-year pilot program will evaluate how drones can improve situational awareness, reduce emergency response times, and enhance the safety of first responders across law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has led the nation in advanced aviation and drone integration through its DriveOhio initiative and UAS Center. Since 2013, the ODOT’s UAS Center has managed statewide efforts fostering collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors to push aviation technology forward.
“Ohio has long been a leader in advanced aviation, and this program takes that commitment to the next level,” Richard Fox, Director of the DriveOhio UAS Center said in a statement. “By launching the nation’s first statewide Drone First Responder initiative, we are not only giving first responders tools to save lives and protect communities, but also setting a model for how states can safely integrate drone technology at scale.”
SkyfireAI was selected by the ODOT to serve as program manager, in collaboration with CAL Analytics — the state’s unmanned traffic management software partner. As program manager, SkyfireAI will oversee every phase of the pilot — from coordinating with vendors and municipalities to select and install rooftop drone systems, to ensuring compliance with FAA regulations, to training operators on best practices for DFR deployment.
"SkyfireAI is actively developing the next generation of autonomy and AI to support multi-ship DFR operations,” Justin McCarthy, VP Partnerships at SkyfireAI, told Officer.com via email. “Our goal is to extend these capabilities to communities of every size — especially rural areas that may not have the resources to sustain traditional drone programs. By leveraging intelligent coordination and AI-driven decision support, a single operator, or no pilot at all, could eventually oversee multiple aircraft, expanding coverage, reducing response times, and delivering life-saving situational awareness where it’s needed most.”
SkyfireAI officials emphasized that the program reflects ODOT’s leadership and commitment to public safety innovation, noting that Ohio is setting a precedent for other states to follow.
“Ohio’s statewide DFR program isn’t just a first — it’s the blueprint.,” Don Mathis, Co-Founder and CEO SkyfireAI said in a statement. “We commend Ohio’s vision in creating the nation’s first statewide DFR program, and we are honored to be entrusted with managing its execution. By unifying policy, training, and technology under one roof, Ohio is making DFR accessible to every community, especially rural departments that could never justify a standalone program. This is how we scale safe autonomy, save minutes, and save lives.”
Ohio State Representative Bernie “Bunyan” Willis, Chair of the Ohio House Transportation Committee, said that the formation of the pilot program solidifies the state’s position at the forefront of aviation innovation. “By launching the first statewide Drone First Responder program, we are showing how unmanned aerial systems can enhance public safety, accelerate emergency response, and strengthen our communities. This program is not just about technology — it’s about saving lives and setting the standard for the rest of the nation.”
The overall goal of the Ohio Drone First Responder Pilot Program to equip municipalities with advanced drone systems, deliver comprehensive training for first responders and enable FAA-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations. According to officials by standardizing statewide procedures, the program will demonstrate how drones can become a trusted, life-saving tool for public safety agencies across the country.