First responders throughout Ohio are getting extra “Eyes in the Sky” to help with traffic and other emergencies.
The Ohio Statewide Drone First Responder (DFR) Pilot Program, is a first in the nation initiative designed to expand rapid aerial response capabilities across communities of all sizes.
The program is being run by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and DriveOhio, with program management support from SkyfireAI.
State officials say the following agencies have been selected to participate in the pilot program:
- City of Springfield Police/Fire/EMS
- Athens Police Department
- Lima Police Department
- Toledo Police Department
- Violet Township Fire/EMS
- Austintown Fire Department
- City of Hamilton Police/Fire/EMS
- Amherst Police Department
- Kelley’s Island Fire/EMS
According to ODOT, those agencies represent a diverse cross-section of Ohio, spanning urban centers, suburban communities, and rural jurisdictions — reinforcing the program’s goal of ensuring access to advanced emergency response capabilities statewide. Many of the selected agencies have also committed to sharing drone resources with neighboring jurisdictions, further expanding the impact of this program.
“Ohio is committed to giving our first responders the tools they need to protect lives and serve their communities safely and effectively,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “This statewide Drone First Responder pilot reflects Ohio’s leadership in innovation, our strong partnership with local agencies, and our focus on using technology responsibly to support public safety across the state.”
Created under Ohio House Bill 96, the Ohio Statewide DFR Pilot Program enables participating agencies to deploy state-approved, NDAA-compliant drone systems capable of rapid launch, real-time video streaming to command staff, and integration into Ohio’s emerging uncrewed aircraft traffic management framework, led by Ohio-based CAL Analytics.
