sUAS and Public Safety
Small unmanned aircraft systems are being applied across firefighting, rescue, and investigative work. This page outlines how agencies are putting sUAS to use and what that means for officer and firefighter safety.
Applications in the Field
Public safety agencies are testing sUAS for firefighting support, search and rescue, and crime scene documentation. Aerial views can help responders assess a fire's spread, locate people in difficult terrain, or capture evidence without disturbing a scene.
These uses aim to reduce risk to personnel by gathering information before responders enter hazardous areas, and to improve the speed and accuracy of evidence collection at incident sites.
Officer and Firefighter Safety
A recurring theme in agency reporting is the potential for sUAS to keep personnel at a safer distance from immediate hazards while still gathering the situational information needed to respond effectively.
Agencies weighing these tools also consider training, oversight, and coordination with existing response protocols as part of responsible deployment.
Case Examples
NYC Fire Department
On March 8, 2017, New York City firefighters used a drone to assist in battling a blaze for the first time, marking an early example of sUAS support in active firefighting.
Austin Police Department
In May 2018, the Austin Police Department launched a drone program directed at deadly traffic crashes, using aerial documentation to support crash investigations.
Continuing the Conversation
Agencies considering similar applications often move next to evaluating their own operational needs and reviewing how other programs report and measure results.