An article by DroneDJ.com shares:
What if your next 911 call was answered by a drone? Ohio has just launched the nation’s first statewide Drone First Responder (DFR) program, a two-year pilot designed to test how drones can reach emergency scenes faster, provide live aerial views to dispatchers, and ultimately help save lives.
Created under Ohio House Bill 96 and managed by SkyfireAI in partnership with CAL Analytics, the program marks a major leap forward for public safety — one that could soon ripple across the country.
“Ohio’s statewide DFR program isn’t just a first — it’s the blueprint,” said Don Mathis, cofounder and CEO of SkyfireAI. “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.”
Unlike city-specific programs in places like Chula Vista and El Paso, Ohio’s effort spans the entire state. Over the next two years, drones will be tested across law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies to see how well they can cut response times and improve situational awareness.
Lawmakers say it’s not just about technology; it’s about lives.
“Ohio is proving once again that we are the HOME of aviation and at the forefront of aviation innovation,” says State Representative Bernie ‘Bunyan’ Willis, Chair of the Ohio House Transportation Committee. “This program is not just about technology — it’s about saving lives and setting the standard for the rest of the nation.”
Through its DriveOhio initiative and UAS Center, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has long been pushing the boundaries of aviation technology. Since 2013, it’s helped position the state as a national testbed for drone integration.
“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,” says Richard Fox, director of the DriveOhio UAS Center.
Soaring to new heights, together.
Be sure to visit the BWU Technology Partnerships Initiative website to learn more about how our NEOFIX program drives economic growth, promotes policy and infrastructure to improve drone safety and efficiency in various industries, and ensures that drone technology is being used responsibly.