Drone as First Responder
Eyes on scene before the first unit arrives.
First Responder Owned · Veteran Led
The first unit on scene can be in the air.
Command sees the scene first. Crews know what they’re walking into. Some calls clear from the air.
Chula Vista and Brookhaven figures as reported in the Motorola Solutions / Flying Lion DFR guide (2023).
How a DFR call works
No case to unload. The drone waits charged in the dock and goes when dispatch sends it.
- 01911 callCall, alarm or sensor alert
- 02LaunchUnder 10 s in our experience
- 03En routeStraight-line, terrain-aware
- 04On sceneLive video to command and crews
- 05ReturnRTK precision landing
- 06Charge15% to 95% in 27 min
If the dock can’t take the drone back, it lands at a surveyed alternate site. See the fail-safes.
Watch: DFR with a Dock 3
Police response, 19 s.
It’s the response time, 27 s.
DJI Dock 3 + Matrice 4TD
The dock launches, lands and charges. The 4TD brings thermal, zoom and a night light.
On a roof, or on a truck.
Mount it at a station, or take it to the incident.
Truck installs need the Dock 3 Vehicle-Mounted Gimbal Mount (sold separately), AC power and 4G.
A Dock 3 on a city rooftop
Surveyed and commissioned by Ohio Drone Repair, August 2026.
Planning a DFR program
Procurement and FAA paperwork take longest. Start both early.
1 Discovery call and demo
We demo Dock 3 and FlightHub 2. You bring a program champion and your top missions.
2 Qualification and site survey
Airspace check and DJI site evaluation. You bring counsel’s read on public aircraft rules and your funding source.
3 Proposal, funding and purchase
Quote for dock, drone, accessories, software and install. You bring approval or a PO.
4 FAA paperwork and site work
Run in parallel: your waiver or COA, and the power, grounding and network work.
5 Install and go live
Mount, commission and e-stop test; FlightHub 2 set up for your teleoperators.
Paying for it
- DonationsThe most common route in the 2020 count (118 agencies).
- Phase itStart with aircraft you own, then add docks.
- Federal grantsCheck vendor rules. NDAA guide.
Ohio H.B. 251 (in force Oct 6, 2026) sets warrant, weapons and flight-data rules for police drones; its foreign-adversary purchase rule starts Oct 6, 2030. Not legal advice. Waivers and BVLOS: see the paths. Sources: Bard CSD (2020), DOJ COPS FY2026 TEP NOFO.
DFR FAQ
What is Drone as First Responder (DFR)?
A drone that launches on a 911 call and flies ahead of ground units, flown from a browser by a teleoperator who shares live video with crews.
Do our pilots need a Part 107 certificate?
Plan on it. Some agencies fly under public aircraft rules; we’ll help you sort out which applies.
What FAA approvals do we need?
Approval to fly beyond visual line of sight, and possibly airspace authorization. Ask us where to start.
How fast does it get to a call?
DJI’s figure is under 100 seconds to a scene 1 km away. Most programs plan for calls within 2 to 3 miles.
Can it fly at night and in Ohio winters?
Yes: thermal, night scene mode and an NIR light; dock rated IP56, -22° to 122°F.
Who sees the video?
Your command center in FlightHub 2, plus anyone you send a live-share link to. Cloud or on-premises.
Is DJI Dock 3 allowed for my agency?
It depends on your agency and funding. See our NDAA guide.
What does a program cost?
It depends on site, docks, accessories and FlightHub 2 plan. Contact us for a quote.
Plan your DFR program
A demo, a site walk, and a plan for paperwork and funding.
First Responder Owned · Veteran Led