FCPD Launches Drone as First Responder Program to Enhance Emergency Response

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Fairfax County, VA – The Fairfax County Police Department has launched its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, an initiative designed to enhance emergency response and improve situational awareness for first responders.

Operated from FCPD’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), DFR drones provide rapid aerial views of incidents, giving officers and first responders valuable information about what is happening before they arrive on scene. This technology allows responding personnel to better assess situations, allocate resources more effectively, and enhance overall public safety.

The DFR program is operated by FCPD and supports emergency responses involving the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FRD), strengthening coordination between public safety agencies during critical incidents.

DFR drones can assist in a variety of situations, including missing persons, crash scenes, fire and medical emergencies, traffic incidents, felony arrest support, and other emergencies where aerial awareness can support a faster and safer response.

Deployment locations are being established throughout Fairfax County using calls for service data. Over the coming months, each district station is expected to have at least one DFR launch location, with approximately 18 sites anticipated to be operational by this summer.

The program utilizes American-made Skydio drones operated by trained and certified personnel assigned to the Real Time Crime Center. These drones are equipped with advanced safety features designed to support safe flight operations and are used by numerous law enforcement agencies across the country.

The Drone as First Responder program is designed to complement FCPD’s existing aviation resources. The helicopter unit will continue to respond to incidents as needed, while drones provide an additional tool to quickly gather information and assist officers and first responders on the ground.

Early Successes

Since the program’s initial deployment, Drone as First Responder operations have already supported officers responding to calls across Fairfax County by providing real-time aerial awareness during active incidents and helping guide responding units more effectively.

  • Coordinated Felony Arrest: RTCC deployed a DFR drone after a License Plate Reader (LPR) alert identified a suspect vehicle associated with dangerous felony warrants. The drone located the vehicle in a nearby parking lot and provided live aerial footage to supervisors. Officers used the real-time view to coordinate an arrest plan while maintaining distance from the area. The drone monitored the scene until the suspect returned to the vehicle, allowing officers to safely take the individual into custody. Numerous items of stolen property were recovered from inside the vehicle.
  • Suspect Located in Fair Oaks: Officers responded to a domestic incident where a man threatened family members with a baseball bat. When officers arrived, the suspect fled on foot through nearby yards and over fences. A DFR drone was deployed and maintained visual contact with the suspect as he attempted to evade officers. Responding units were guided to the suspect’s location and he was safely taken into custody.
  • Weapons Call Resolved Safely in Fair Oaks: Officers responded to reports of a man pointing a bow and arrow at passing vehicles. A DFR drone was deployed and quickly determined the individual was holding a stick, not a weapon. This aerial assessment allowed officers to cancel the call and continue responding to other calls for service.
  • Infrastructure Assessment Supporting FRD: The drone was deployed at the request of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department during a gas leak in Centreville, providing aerial views that helped maintain coordination and deliver ongoing progress updates to the command post managing the incident.

Looking Ahead

As the program continues to expand, FCPD will work closely with public safety partners and the community to ensure this technology is used responsibly and effectively. The Drone as First Responder program reflects FCPD’s continued commitment to leveraging technology to enhance emergency response and support the safety of Fairfax County residents.

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