Drone as First Responder (DFR)

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Overview

Compact, remotely controlled small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), often known as drones, offer a proficient, economical, and impactful means of providing first responders with vital real-time information to address calls for service, emergencies, and criminal investigations. Examples of their uses include providing overwatch during critical incidents, support rescue operations, conducting searches of building interiors, assist with fire assessments, locating dangerous persons, documenting crime and accident scenes, and undertaking searches for missing persons.

History

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for Public Safety

In early 2017, Fremont Fire began utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for operational purposes. In May 2017, the Fremont Police Department officially partnered with Fremont Fire to launch a more robust program for the City.

On May 17, 2017, a community meeting was held to share information about the City of Fremont's Public Safety Unmanned Aerial System program. Topics at the meeting included the intended use of the

UAVs for Police and Fire, FAA flying requirements, case studies, specific capabilities and specs of UAVs, and Department policies are presented in community meetings. A copy of the presentation is available online, as well as Fremont Police's UAV policy.

In December 2022, Fremont Police and Fremont Fire jointly developed a Drone First Responders (DFR) program. The concept of DFR is different from traditional drone programs. Instead of launching a drone after an officer/firefighter is already on scene, UAVs are deployed from fixed locations throughout the city and respond immediately to emergencies as soon as they come into the emergency dispatch center. FPD and FFD are the 1st joint public safety DFR program in the country and only one of a few agencies currently integrating this technology.

On February 13, 2024, City Council approved the deployment of the Fremont Public Safety Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program. Fremont is one of only a few agencies currently integrating this technology. The goal of DFR is to arrive on-scene ahead of responding public safety personnel.

Press Release on DFR Adoption

Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program Overview

Beginning on September 1, 2023, with strong support from the community, FPD began deploying drones from the rooftop a centrally located multi-level building for 911 calls and other reports of emergency incidents, such as crimes in progress, fires, traffic accidents, and reports of dangerous subjects. This unique Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for drones was developed from a partnership between FPD, FFD, and DroneSense.

Under the DFR model, UAVs are dispatched just like officers or other first responders that are on patrol, often arriving on-scene within minutes. Once there is a call into 9-1-1, a remote pilot can dispatch the drone autonomously from any location to the incident location through the DroneSense software.

Upon arriving on scene, the remote pilot can fully control the aircraft and its camera/ sensors (using a keyboard and controller), providing a live video feed and valuable situational awareness of the incident to key stakeholders. When the appropriate response is implemented, and the call is cleared, the remote pilot clicks a button, and the drone autonomously returns to the landing site, where the RPIC (remote pilot in command) can prepare it for the next call.

The intent of the program is to enhance safety within our community, improve incident response times, increase officer/firefighter safety, increase de-escalation outcomes, and become a force multiplier to public safety with increased actionable intelligence. The information DFR relays helps drive the best response to an incident, including determining the best tools, tactics, and resources necessary to safely mitigate a problem -often before units even arrive on scene.

Flight Data Dashboard

Data available for flights after June 1, 2024. Data can be viewed directly on DroneSense

Frequently Asked Questions

DFR - Drone as First Responder

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

Can foreign countries gain access to FPD’s drone data or information through a drone’s built-in software?
No. Our drone data does not utilize the onboard software from the drone manufacturer. From the outset of our program, we have used an encrypted, US-based software program to bypass the drone manufacturer’s systems. Our data is encrypted and is stored on US-based servers that meet federal requirements for confidential law enforcement databases.
How do I ask a question or make a complaint about UAS use in Fremont?
Anyone may email the UAV Unit Sergeant directly Ken Kwok. In addition, anyone may make a service complaint via the Office of Professional Standards and Accountability:

1) Via email to: internalaffairs@fremont.gov

2) Via phone call to 510-790-6900

For more FAQs related to UAS, please visit the Federal Aviation Administration’s FAQ page.

For more FAQs related to DFR, please visit the Federal Aviation Administration’s FAQ page.
How is my privacy protected?
The intent of the DFR Program is to enhance FPD’s response to emergency calls for service. As such, drones are used during an active response to an emergency or other call for police assistance. FPD policy strictly prohibits drone operators from intentionally recording or transmitting images of any location where a person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as inside private buildings, except where authorized by a warrant issued by a judge or in emergency situations.
What is a drone or UAV?
UAV is an Unmanned Aerial System and is commonly called a drone. A drone is an aerial device with an onboard computer operated remotely – generally by a pilot on the ground – using a handheld controller. Small drones are battery-operated, weigh less than 55 pounds, have four rotors like a quad-copter, and are equipped with a video camera.
What is Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations?
Fremont Police Department officers and Fremont Fire Department firefighters have been training with a software system (DroneSense) that allows our current UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) systems to be operated as DFR (also known as Drone as First Responder). The concept of DFR is different from traditional drone programs. Instead of launching a drone after an officer/firefighter is already on scene, UAVs are deployed from fixed locations throughout the city and respond immediately to emergencies as soon as they come into the emergency dispatch center.

Under the DFR model, UAVs are dispatched just like officers or other first responders that are on patrol, often arriving on-scene within two minutes. Once there is a call into 9-1-1, a remote pilot can dispatch the drone autonomously from any location (in this instance, Parkway Towers-39906 Fremont Blvd) to the incident location through the DroneSense software.

Upon arriving on scene, the remote pilot can take complete control of the aircraft and its camera/ sensors (using a keyboard and controller), providing a live video feed and valuable situational awareness of the incident to key stakeholders. When the appropriate response is implemented, and the call is cleared, the remote pilot clicks a button, and the drone autonomously returns to the landing site, where the RPIC (remote pilot in command) can prepare it for the next call.

The intent of the program is to improve incident response times, increase officer/firefighter safety, increase de-escalation outcomes, and become a force multiplier to public safety with increased actionable intelligence. The information DFR relays helps drive the best response to an incident, including determining the best tools, tactics, and resources necessary to safely mitigate a problem -often before units even arrive on scene.
What rules and regulations must FPD’s UAS pilots follow?
All FPD UAS pilots are subject to FAA regulations related to airspace use, and all must have a valid “Part 107” Remote Pilot License. UAS pilots are also subject to the FPD Policy on UAS Operations
What training do UAS pilots undergo?
In addition to the training and study required to maintain an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot License, all FPD UAV Unit members train regularly in a variety of locations and settings to ensure operational efficiency. All members must pass a qualification standard set by the United States Department of Commerce- National Institute of Science and Technology. The Unit is an active member and participant of the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA). All training is documented, FPD maintains the records, and are subject to review by the FAA.
When do Fremont Police use UAVs (drones)?
UAVs are deployed for the following reasons:
- Public safety and life preservation missions, including barricaded suspects, hostage situations, active shooters, apprehension of armed and dangerous fleeing suspects, and high-risk search warrants
- Mass casualty events
- Lost or missing persons
- Rescue events
- Disaster response and recovery
- Suspected explosive devices
- Fire suppression or investigation
- Hazardous material releases
- Post-incident crime scene preservation and documentation
- Pursuant to a search warrant
- Special Events
- When there is probable cause to believe that the UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) will record images of a place, thing, condition, or event and that those images tend to show a felony has been committed or tends to show that a particular person has committed a felony.
- Anytime a UAS would enhance public safety, improve operational safety, incident stabilization, or incident mitigation as determined by the authorizing person
- Anti-UAV operations when a person is operating a UAV in a manner that impedes emergency personnel who, in the course of their duties, are coping with an emergency (refer to Penal Code § 402(a)1)
- Training missions
- Mutual Aid support when the underlying mission meets the uses outlined in the policy (Policy 614)
Where is the video and photos taken by the UAS stored?
All video and photo evidence taken during any UAS mission is stored in the same manner and location as Body Worn Camera (BWC) video and other investigative evidence. FPD stores all digital evidence through a private “cloud” service, Evidence.com. The service is authorized and certified under state and federal regulations for the security and protection of confidential information and is available only for official law enforcement purposes. Evidence is stored and saved for a limited time (less than a year) unless categorized as evidence in an actual crime or formal investigation. Then it is stored for a period of time consistent with all other evidence retention schedules.
Who has access to the video and photos?
Video and photos collected by UAS are stored for the purposes of conducting police investigations and subsequent prosecutions. Accordingly, videos and photos are generally accessible to police investigators for official use only. Like all police records, video and photos may also be subject to additional release under the same rules and restrictions as BWC video and other items of evidence. Generally, UAS photos and videos are considered part of the investigative record. They are not available to the public under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) or Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Please refer to the FPD Policy on Portable Audio/Video Recorders for more details.
Why does FPD use UAS rather than helicopters?
Helicopters and other manned aircraft (air support) are very expensive to operate. Currently, FPD relies on the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department and other local agencies for air support. UAVs can be used in a variety of ways that supplement mutual aid air support requests in a cost-effective and efficient manner, like the DFR aerial intelligence-led emergency response. Additionally, UAVs can traditionally perform 33% of the missions that a traditional air support unit can perform at a fraction of the cost.

Useful Links

DFR Community Meeting

DFR Community Meeting Presentation Slides

Fremont's DFR Program on the News

May 10, 2024 on Fox 2 News: https://www.ktvu.com/video/1453951

Other DFR Programs on the News

Brookhaven Police Department Creates First Responder Drone Program
Chula Vista Police Department Deploying a Drone as a First Responder
- A video example of Chula Vista DFR in action involving an ongoing domestic violence incident where officers were not able to clear to respond can be seen here:

City of Fremont, CA Official Website

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Drone as First Responder (DFR)

Overview

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for Public Safety

Flight Data Dashboard

Frequently Asked Questions

DFR - Drone as First Responder

Can foreign countries gain access to FPD’s drone data or information through a drone’s built-in software?

How do I ask a question or make a complaint about UAS use in Fremont?

How is my privacy protected?

What is a drone or UAV?

What is Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations?

What rules and regulations must FPD’s UAS pilots follow?

What training do UAS pilots undergo?

When do Fremont Police use UAVs (drones)?

Where is the video and photos taken by the UAS stored?

Who has access to the video and photos?

Why does FPD use UAS rather than helicopters?

Useful Links

DFR Community Meeting

Fremont's DFR Program on the News

Other DFR Programs on the News