The Sacramento Police Department, in collaboration with the Sacramento Fire Department, has initiated a Drone First Responder (DFR) Trial Program aimed at improving emergency response effectiveness. Starting November 20, remotely piloted drones began responding to service calls within Del Paso Heights, operating from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., from Wednesday through Saturday, covering a two-mile radius from their base station.
According to a post on the Sacramento City Express, the drones provide critical surveillance prior to the arrival of human responders, help in verifying situational information, and assist with area searches, the program's role is crucial considering the need for enhancing public safety measures and resource management.
"We're always looking for ways to enhance public safety and support our first responders with innovative tools," Sgt. Dan Wiseman of the Sacramento Police articulated on Sacramento City Express. He emphasized that this program will lead to faster response times, more accurate assessments, and heightened community service, while prioritizing crucial aspects such as transparency and privacy.
Del Paso Heights was chosen for the pilot due to its high call volume and crime patterns, and because it's positioned away from congested airspaces, like airports, according to the same statement on Sacramento City Express. The SPD’s UAS Team was established in 2019, comprises 24 certified pilots who've conducted more than 170 emergency responses, and over 573 drone flights in the current year.
Flight data and transparency reports regarding the program will be available on the City's UAS transparency page.
