Drone as a
First
Responder
Lieutenant Chris Devan
Current SSFPD Drone
Program
• Patrol lead model
• Carried by drone operators on patrol
• Must respond to location prior to
deploying drone
• Time on target with the drone
depends on physical response time
of officer
• 6 licensed pilots / 130 flights since
inception
Authorized Uses
• Patrol Operations
• Search and Rescue
• Investigations
• Event Management
Prohibited Uses
• Will not be used to impinge or restrict 1st
Amendment right to assemble/free speech.
• Will not weaponize any UAV
• Will not be used to conduct random
surveillance activities
• Will not be used to harass, intimidate, or
discriminate against any individual or group
• Absent a warrant or exigent circumstances,
operators shall not intentionally record or
transmit images of any location where a
person would have a reasonable expectation
or privacy
Drone as a First
Responder (DFR)
• Launched from fixed locations
• Autonomous flights controlled
by a desktop / laptop computer
• Respond to emergency as
soon as 911 call is received
• Multiple dock locations allow
citywide coverage with onscene time in minutes
• Relay critical information prior
to first responder arrival
Axon & Skydio
• Current Axon services - Body Worn
Cameras / Fleet Cameras / Tasers /
Current drone program software /
Digital evidence storage
• Partnership with Skydio to provide
DFR capabilities to public safety
agencies
• U.S. based drone manufacturer
specializing in autonomous flight
• Headquarter in San Mateo and
Manufacturing Facility in Hayward
• Currently deployed at San Mateo PD /
additional SMCO agencies in the
future
Skydio X10
Dock
DFR Benefits for Police / Fire
• Faster response to critical incidents
• Increase opportunities for de-escalation
• Provide real-time information for responding personnel • Detect hot spots / fire spread. Can help determine alarm response
• Identify structural risks keeping crews safer
• Search and rescue / locate victims quickly
• Quickly identify evacuation areas / Quickly identify
ingress/egress control points
Proposed Dock Locations
Transparency Dashboard
Itemized Costs
Cost Per Year Public Safety Impact
Fees Police Operating Budget
Year 1 - $160,000.00 $123,483.20 $36,516.80
Year 2 - $160,000.00 $123,483.20 $36,516.80
Year 3 - $160,000.00 $123,483.20 $36,516.80
Year 4 - $160,000.00 $123,483.20 $36,516.80
Year 5 - $160,000.00 $123,483.20 $36,516.80
Total - $800,000.00 $617,416.00 $182,584.00
THANK YOU