In the aftermath of a disaster, finding and rescuing survivors is the top priority. Drones equipped with thermal cameras can locate survivors in hard-to-reach areas, at night, or under debris.

Drones equipped with sensors can detect hazardous materials that might have been released during a disaster, helping protect first responders and the public.

Drones can monitor areas that are at risk of landslides and provide early warnings to communities and emergency responders.

Public safety drones equipped with communication devices can facilitate communication in remote areas, where conventional communication systems are not available or have been compromised.

Drones can capture aerial images and videos of accident scenes, which can be helpful for insurance purposes and for authorities to better understand the cause of accidents.

In situations where communication networks are down, drones can act as temporary communication relays, helping to restore communication between emergency responders and command centers.

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In some cases, drones equipped with communication devices can be used to assess a patient’s condition remotely, helping to determine the level of care required before EMTs arrive on the scene.

Aerial video footage and images captured while a fire is burning are crucial in after-action assessments, where firefighters critique their efforts to improve their approach and identify future training needs. These materials can also be used to train new firefighters, providing real-life examples of how a fire might unfold and decisions made on the ground.

Drones can aid in the pursuit of suspects by providing real-time aerial tracking, allowing ground units to better coordinate their efforts and capture suspects more efficiently while minimizing risks to the public.

Drones equipped with communication devices can serve as aerial communication hubs, enhancing radio signals in areas with poor reception, ensuring clear and continuous communication among firefighting teams and command centers.

The Skydio X2 is a portable and ruggedized drone equipped for both day and night operations. Skydio is best known for its autonomy—a feature that lets the drone basically fly itself, allowing the pilot to pursue a suspect on foot, or gain situational awareness while focused on what’s happening in an unfolding situation.

Drones can be used to inspect critical infrastructure such as bridges, dams, and power lines, helping law enforcement agencies identify potential threats and vulnerabilities and take preventive measures to ensure public safety.

Drones can create real-time maps of areas where victims may be in need of help, providing search and rescue teams with up-to-date information to plan and execute their operations more effectively.

After a natural disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake, or flood, drones can quickly assess the damage to infrastructure, buildings, and roads. They can provide real-time images and videos that help in understanding the scale of the damage and prioritizing response efforts.

During emergencies, public safety agencies can obtain special permission to fly BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) by obtaining a TBVLOS waiver (the T stands for Tactical).

If you’re just getting started in your public safety drone journey, this in-depth guide is for you. In the guide we cover the best public safety drones on the market, the ways that different types of public safety agencies are using drones in their work, legal considerations for adopting public safety drones, and more.

The first step in choosing between operating under the Part 107 rules or a COA is to assess the needs of your agency. Determine the types of operations you will be conducting, the locations you will be operating in, and any special requirements you may have, such as BVLOS operations or night operations, which might make a COA more appealing.

Drones can be used to deliver essential supplies like food, water, and medicine to areas that are difficult to access due to damaged infrastructure or ongoing hazards.

Public safety drones can quickly scan avalanche areas to locate buried victims, helping rescue teams focus their efforts and save valuable time.

After the operation, conduct an assessment to evaluate the success of the operation, identify areas for improvement, and document the lessons learned.

Drones can be used for the covert surveillance of suspected criminal activities, helping law enforcement agencies gather evidence without being detected.

And for 3D mapping or orthomosaics, there are software companies that specialize in making software just for drone operations.

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While there are a handful of drones made specifically for work in public safety, the term can apply generally to describe whatever drone a public safety agency has chosen to use in its work, regardless of how the drone is marketed or the original use cases its manufacturer may have imagined for it.

You may need software both for managing your drone operations and for creating 3D models (if you need them in your work).

It is always advisable to consult legal and regulatory experts to understand the implications of operating under Part 107 or a COA, and to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.

After the immediate emergency has passed, drones can continue to support recovery efforts by assessing the damage, supporting the rebuilding of infrastructure, and monitoring the recovery process.

Here’s a list of over 50 use cases for public safety drones, organized by the different types of public safety agencies that might use them.

In the last ten years, the use of drones to support public safety work has gone from an interesting concept to a tried and tested reality. This fact is demonstrated in the phrase itself—a decade ago, the term “public safety drone” hadn’t yet entered our general vocabulary.

Using thermal cameras, firefighters can locate people trapped in a building’s upper level during a structure fire or within a wildfire, focusing their efforts on saving them. Even without thermal imagery, the ability to see into windows and gain real-time information on a burning building or wildfire situation can give firefighters crucial information to save lives.

Drones can deliver essential supplies such as water, food, and first aid kits to stranded or injured individuals in remote or inaccessible areas until rescue teams can reach them.

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DJI’s Matrice series is widely used by law enforcement and other public safety agencies. The Matrice 30 is the smallest model in the Matrice line, which is why it’s called the first “backpack drone” in the series. The M30 can be equipped with an optional thermal camera, and it’s a rugged, portable drone made to support work in the field, including public safety work.

The drones you choose should be equipped with essential features, which could include thermal imaging (if you’re doing firefighting work), real-time video streaming, GPS, and autonomous flight capabilities.

Drones can provide a real-time aerial view of evacuation routes and help in monitoring the movement of people and vehicles. This information is critical for managing traffic and ensuring the safety of evacuees.

Drones can be dispatched immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide real-time video feed to emergency responders. The feed can help them assess the situation and prepare necessary equipment and personnel before arriving at the scene.

A Certificate of Authorization (COA) is an authorization issued by the FAA that allows public entities like law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and search and rescue teams to operate drones.

Consider the limitations of Part 107 and the COA. If your agency can operate within the limitations of Part 107, it may be the quickest and easiest way to get started. However, if your operations require more flexibility, a COA may be necessary.

The BRINC Lemur 2 is a public safety drone first, meaning it was designed specifically for work in public safety, with a focus on law enforcement and use in hostage / active shooter situations. The Lemur 2 has unique features that make it capable of navigating tight indoor spaces, providing two-way communication, and breaking through glass windows to enter buildings.

There are software providers out there that specialize in supporting public safety work with drones. Axon, makers of the Taser, has a division called Axon Air that provides both drone hardware and drone software tailored for law enforcement.

Drones can quickly create detailed maps of affected areas, providing emergency responders with essential information for planning and coordinating their efforts.

One key decision for a public safety agency is whether to operate under the FAA’s Part 107 rules or a Certificate of Authorization (COA).

Firefighters use drones to capture quick, safe information related to catastrophic events like floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes.

The drone, equipped with high-resolution cameras and other sensors, provides real-time aerial footage and data to the emergency response teams, often while they are still en route to the incident. This live feed allows first responders to assess the situation, understand the terrain, identify potential threats, and make informed decisions before they arrive.

The DJI Mavic 3T is a version of the Mavic 3 Enterprise that comes equipped with a thermal camera. It offers a combination of advanced features that make it a powerful tool for public safety applications, including extended flight time and advanced safety features. It also has robust data protection measures, including a local data mode to prevent data transmission over the internet and AES-256 bit encryption for data transmission.

The Matrice 300 RTK is a larger, slightly older model in the Matrice line. The M300 is a solid public safety drone for entities who want to do 3D mapping, since the RTK system enables high-accuracy mapping for precise data collection, making it ideal for detailed 2D and 3D mapping of crime scenes or traffic accidents. It’s also good for longer-range missions, like those over active wildfires or in search of missing persons.

Firefighters use public safety drones to make emergency deliveries in disaster situations, carrying items like Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and other necessary ground equipment.

Police drones equipped with specialized sensors can monitor environmental parameters, helping in the detection of illegal activities such as dumping of hazardous waste, and facilitating the collection of evidence for legal proceedings.

Also, it’s important to note that you can get a TBVLOS waiver before an anticipated emergency or during an emergency, and there is a different process for each. (The process for those obtaining waivers during an emergency is accelerated to provide support as fast as possible.)

Drones can be used to monitor wildlife reserves and detect illegal activities such as poaching, helping law enforcement to protect endangered species and apprehend offenders.

Additionally, each drone pilot on your team must have a Remote Pilot Certificate (commonly called a drone license) to fly under the Part 107 rules. (The biggest hurdle for getting the certificate is the FAA’s Part 107 test, also called the Aeronautical Knowledge Test.).

The “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) program is a relatively new way of using drones in public safety that integrates drones into the emergency response operation of public safety agencies.

Drones can be used to quickly transport blood samples or other medical specimens from the emergency site to a laboratory for analysis.

Drones equipped with specialized sensors can detect hazardous materials at a fire scene, helping firefighters identify potential risks and take appropriate safety measures.

Operating under a COA can come with fewer restrictions than operating under the Part 107 rules, and can include permissions for BVLOS operations, operations over people, and night operations.

Public safety drones support firefighting operations by providing a real-time overhead view of the fire scene, helping firefighters understand the fire’s spread and its potential path.

Operate the drone according to plan, using it to get the data you need and then bringing it back down as soon as you have that data.

Public safety drones equipped with thermal cameras can monitor controlled or prescribed burns to ensure the fire stays within the designated area and doesn’t pose a threat to nearby structures or wildlife.

Analysis may happen as the drone flies, with the pilot and others looking at the live feed to make decisions on the spot.

Drones can quickly deliver essential medical supplies such as defibrillators, epinephrine, or tourniquets to remote or inaccessible areas, saving crucial time in life-threatening situations.

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Some public safety agencies decide to obtain Part 107 certification for their pilots so they can get up and running right away, and then work on obtaining a COA. By doing both, the agency is able to move quickly on launching its drone program while also carrying out the slower work of getting more expansive permissions, which will be unlocked once the COA is secured.

Drones can fly over rivers or the ocean to locate survivors in water, helping search and rescue teams to focus their efforts and save lives.

After a fire burns out, drones can survey the scene and collect images turned into orthomosaic maps, serving as a complete data set for investigating the fire’s cause and progression.

Although not widely adopted, some specialized drones can carry and drop water or fire retardant on fires in hard-to-reach areas, reducing the risk for firefighters and aiding in quickly containing the fire.

Drones can assess structural damage to buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure after natural disasters, helping search and rescue teams identify safe routes and areas to avoid.

For now, the approach is used only by law enforcement, but the model could potentially be adopted by fire departments or other public safety agencies.

When thinking about training, make sure to schedule refreshers so your pilots stay current on all your drone models. One way to do this is to have a minimum flight hour requirement per month or quarter, which could be assigned for each type of drone your agency owns.

Of course, in public safety you may not have a lot of time for planning—sometimes you need aerial data right away. But even in emergencies, take a moment to think through the goals of the operation and what you plan to accomplish. Pre-planning will pay dividends in helping you achieve your goals for the mission.

Operating under the Part 107 is often quicker to set up and has fewer restrictions, but it comes with certain limitations that might not be suitable for all public safety operations. For example, Part 107 does not allow operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), over people, or at night without a waiver—activities you may want to unlock for your public safety work.

Consider the resources available to your agency. Obtaining and operating under a COA may require more resources in terms of training, documentation, and operational procedures, as well as possible consulting fees if you seek the support of a third party to navigate the process.

Analyze the data collected by the drone to extract valuable information. This may include reviewing the video footage, analyzing the thermal images, or creating maps of the affected area.

Drones can monitor natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and avalanches in real-time, helping search and rescue teams assess the situation and respond accordingly.

Drones capture aerial footage while a fire is burning, providing situational awareness and first-hand information on how the fire burned while active. This information, archived in photos and videos, can be used for investigations into the fire’s cause and progression.

In hostage situations, drones equipped with audio and video capabilities can provide law enforcement with valuable intelligence without risking personnel, helping in the negotiation process and planning a tactical response if necessary.

Drones can be used to deliver emergency supplies such as water, food, and medical supplies to victims of natural disasters, accidents, or other emergencies in areas that are difficult to access by foot or ground vehicle.

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For example, if you are using a drone for search and rescue, define the search area, identify potential hazards, and determine the best time to conduct the operation.

See the previous section for guidelines on choosing public safety drone hardware as well as our list of the best public safety drones on the market.

Early information can help incident commanders and emergency managers understand the community impact on building infrastructure, road conditions, and living conditions, aiding in determining additional resources needed from FEMA, neighboring communities, or other organizations. Drones can also help locate people trapped in homes or vehicles, diverting rescue efforts to assist them.

Drones can assist in mountain rescues by locating stranded or injured hikers, assessing their condition, and helping rescue teams plan their approach.

Before ambulances are dispatched, drones can be used to assess traffic conditions and find the quickest route to the emergency site, helping to reduce response times.

Firefighters use drones to capture images and create orthomosaic maps of key buildings and facilities, like schools, within their work areas. These maps help firefighters know the exits and can be used by the incident commander during a fire to compare normal and fire conditions for different building parts.

Your drone pilots should be adequately trained and familiar with the capabilities of every drone you use, and know how to operate each one safely and proficiently.

Drones can inspect critical infrastructure such as bridges, dams, and power lines for damage that might not be visible from the ground or might be too dangerous for human inspection.

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However, obtaining a COA can be a more complex and time-consuming process. Additionally, a COA often requires the public safety agency to have a comprehensive drone program, including trained operators, maintenance procedures, and operational guidelines.

In the aftermath of natural disasters, drones can be used to assess damage, locate survivors, and deliver essential medical supplies to areas that are difficult to access by ground.

Drones can monitor the rise of water levels in real-time and help in predicting the areas that are at risk of flooding. This information is crucial for issuing warnings to the public and planning evacuations.

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During large events, drones can be used to monitor crowds and identify potential medical emergencies or disturbances, enabling a quicker response from EMTs and security personnel.

Public safety drones can monitor traffic flow and identify traffic congestion, accidents, or illegal activities such as reckless driving, helping law enforcement agencies manage traffic more effectively and ensure road safety.

Before launching the drone, conduct pre-flight checks to ensure that all systems are functioning correctly, the batteries are fully charged, and the drone is ready for operation.

Drones equipped with thermal cameras can quickly scan large areas to locate missing persons, even in challenging environments like dense forests or at night.

Now, public safety drones are commonplace. In any major city you’ll find drones supporting the work of police departments, fire departments, search and rescue teams, and disaster management personnel.

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Drones can create detailed aerial maps of crime scenes or areas of interest, providing valuable data for crime analysis and investigative purposes.

It’s also now common knowledge that you’ll probably need several types of drones to support public safety work, especially if you’re a larger organization. While some drones are good for their autonomy and suited for quickly searching an area for victims after a crash, other drones are good for collecting LiDAR data in rugged environments to support the creation of detailed 3D maps for disaster planning or risk mitigation.

Drones equipped with thermal cameras can quickly search large areas for missing persons or pets in the aftermath of a fire, especially in challenging terrains or low-visibility conditions.

In situations involving hazardous materials, drones can be equipped with sensors to detect the presence of harmful substances, helping to keep EMTs and other first responders safe.

Public safety drones can provide real-time aerial surveillance during large public events, protests, or gatherings, helping law enforcement agencies to monitor crowd movements, identify potential threats, and deploy resources more effectively.

Providing a bird’s-eye view of the rescue operation, drones can help coordinate the efforts of different teams on the ground and ensure their safety.

Drones can monitor wildlife movements in affected areas, helping search and rescue teams avoid dangerous animals and ensure their safety.

Public safety drones can be deployed to monitor high crime areas, providing a deterrent effect and helping in the early detection and response to criminal activities.

For structure fires, drones can reveal key information about exits and entry points and the fire’s nature. Additionally, thermal cameras attached to drones can help firefighters locate smoldering hot spots invisible to the naked eye, ensuring they are completely extinguished.

Traditionally, first responders such as police, firefighters, and emergency medical teams are dispatched to the scene of an incident as soon as a distress call is received. In a DFR program, a drone is deployed to the scene immediately after a 911 call is received, often arriving before human responders.

The DFR program not only improves the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency response operations but also enhances the safety of the first responders by providing them with critical information before they arrive on the scene. By having a clearer picture of the situation, responders can better prepare and equip themselves, ultimately leading to more successful outcomes and safer operations.