Public Safety DFR Program
The Future of Public Safety
Drone as a First Responder (DFR) Program
Community Meetings
July 29/Nov 15/Nov 29, 2023
Opening Comments
Police Chief Sean Washington
Fire Chief Zoraida Diaz
3 What is a DFR Program?
• Drone as a First Responder
• Provides a rapid response to Police and Fire emergencies • The Drone as a First Responder (DFR) concept is different than our current field deployed drone program. Instead of launching a drone after officers or firefighters are on scene, drones located at fixed locations respond to emergencies upon initial receipt of 911 calls.
• The intent of the program is to have a drone on scene prior to police officer/firefighter arrival. Certified teleoperators scan and evaluate the situation remotely and relay information to field supervisors.
• The drones have the ability to broadcast real-time video of the incident to all first responders dispatched to an incident. This video, monitored by trained users, can help responding personnel develop tactical plans, assist in the de- escalation of potentially dangerous situations, and provides an extra level of safety to department personnel and the general public.
What can DFR do for
Fremont?
5 What can a DFR Program do for Fremont?
• Help augment responses to any emergency
situation
• In most cases, provide “eyes on scene” before
field units arrive
• Provide visual, real-time information to help
de-escalate dangerous situations
• Provide visual, real-time information to incident
commanders to help verify radio traffic and assist
in development of strategy and tactics
• Help to reduce the number of units responding
“CODE 3”
6 More on What a DFR Program Can Do
• Video documentation of incidents for training
purposes and after-action reviews
• Provide another layer of safety to Police Officers and Firefighters by providing a 360-degree view of the scene • DFR allows for more efficient resource deployment
• Secondary drones can be launched when needed by on
scene pilots
• Drone = most efficient tool available to assist in locating missing persons, search and rescue incidents, area searches for dangerous suspects, locating evidence, identifying hot spots on fires, and assisting with disaster management
7 Fremont
Leading
the Way
• The City of Fremont will be the first city in
the country to have a public safety “Drone
as First Responder” program. This is a
collaboration between police and fire.
• The City of Fremont has always been at the
forefront of technology and innovation. The
program supports Fremont’s “Smart City”
initiative.
• The use of this technology will increase
public safety, reduce risk to first responders
and can be used as a recruitment tool.
8 Assisting Other Departments
• In the future, our drone program can assist
other Departments within the City of Fremont.
These include:
• Animals Services
• Buildings
• Code Enforcement
• Maintenance Services
• Planning
• Public Works
• Urban Forestry
• Transportation
What is the Difference
between our Current UAS
Program and DFR?
Current Deployment Model
The Certificate of
Authorization (COA)
Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC)
Visual Observer (VO)
Pilots carry drones in their vehicles
and deploy when they arrive on scene
DFR
Deployment Model
The Certificate of Authorization (COA)
and Waivers from the FAA
Tele
-
Operator
Remote Pilot in Command
Live video is fed to responding units and
Tele-Operator relays important information
DFR Drone as First Responder
Proof of Concept
21 Fremont UAS Policy
• Both FPD and FFD policies are posted for review
• Important highlights
• Defines when a pilot can deploy a UAS
• Prohibited use
• Shall not weaponize
• Shall not harass, intimidate or discriminate
• Shall not conduct random surveillance
• Shall not target a person based solely on actual or
perceived characteristics
22 Drone as
First
Responder
Metrics
23 Review of DRF Pilot Program
• # of calls
• Synopsis of how and when we deployed
• # of days flown
• Average response time
• Time drone remains on scene
• Success stories
24 Equipment
for DFR
25 Current Equipment
• Fremont’s primary UAS
platforms
• DJI M30
• DJI Mavic 3 Dual
• All units have thermal
camera capabilities
• Most units have speaker
attachments for one-way
communications and
spotlights
DJI M30
DJI Mavic 3 Dual
26 Future of
Drone
Deployment
27 Future of Drone Deployment
• Docking stations
• Detect and avoid system (radar)
• Drones available at multiple locations within the city
Examples of Successful Mission
2023 Niles Flood Rescue
31 Locating
Arson and
Robbery
Suspect
32 Vehicle into the Water
Locating Hiding Suspect
Multiple Alarm Fire
Locating Hiding Elder Abuse Suspect
Residential Structure Fire
37 Future Goals for Fremont’s UAS
• UAS coverage throughout the city
• Reduce response times
• Add multiple launch points
• Add drones with longer flight times and greater
speeds
• Add better technology as the UAS industry
advances
• Use as a recruitment tool for both departments
Closing Comments
Police Chief Sean Washington
Fire Chief Zoraida Diaz
Community Benefits:
Law Enforcement (Crime Mitigation)
• Improved Public Safety Resource
• Technology Compliments Real Time Information
Center (RTIC) Initiative
• Staffing Efficiency (resource allocation)
• Enhanced Deterrence, Detection and Response
• Additional Accountability and Transparency
Police Legitimacy, Accountability
and Transparency
• AB 481
• FPD Policy
• City Council
• Community Engagement
• Community Advisory Board
• Youth Advisory Board
• Community Meetings
• Partner Agency Site Visits
• Staff Accountability
(Body Camera)
• Staffing Efficiency
Questions?