Red Deer RCMP have announced plans to implement its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program in the coming months.
Residents may notice drones flying overhead more frequently, and police say it’s meant to enhance public safety.
The program is an expansion of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) currently being used.The RPAS technology has been used by the RCMP since 2020 for situations such as search and rescue, missing persons, and major crime investigations, among other uses.
According to RCMP, a trained drone pilot will launch a drone and respond to calls for service ahead of a police officer or other emergency personnel.
The pilot will log into the drone at the start of a shift and use the drone to respond to a call in the first instance. Using drones as first responders enhances the safety of the public, as well as the safety of police and other first responders, including Firefighters, Paramedics and By-law officers.
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