COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio has become the first state in the nation to launch a statewide Drone First Responder program, selecting nine public safety agencies spanning urban, suburban, and rural communities to deploy autonomous aerial systems capable of reaching emergency scenes before ground units arrive.
The Ohio Statewide Drone First Responder Pilot Program, led by the Ohio Department of Transportation and DriveOhio, was created under House Bill 96 and will begin operations this spring. SkyfireAI, a national public safety drone firm, is managing the program.
The Nine Selected Agencies
The agencies chosen to participate represent a deliberate cross-section of Ohio:
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, and Kelleys Island Fire/EMS.
Several of the selected agencies have committed to sharing drone resources with neighboring jurisdictions, extending the program’s reach beyond the nine participating communities.
How It Works
The program uses what is known as drone-in-a-box technology — drones housed in permanent docking stations that can be launched remotely and dispatched to an emergency scene without a pilot physically present. Once airborne, the drones stream real-time video to command staff, providing situational awareness before the first ground unit arrives. Some units are also capable of dropping medical supplies directly to a scene.
The drones used in the program are NDAA-compliant — meaning they meet federal standards restricting the use of technology from countries considered national security risks, a requirement that has become standard in public safety drone procurement.
Why It Matters
The core promise of drone-first response is speed. In a cardiac arrest, a structure fire, or an active threat situation, having aerial eyes on a scene seconds after a 911 call is placed can meaningfully change outcomes — both for the people in crisis and for the responders heading in.
The program also addresses a staffing reality facing departments across Ohio: many agencies, particularly in rural and suburban areas, are operating with fewer personnel than they need. Drones positioned to respond instantly can serve as a force multiplier for understaffed departments.
Governor Mike DeWine framed the program around both innovation and responsibility. “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,” he said.
National Eyes on Ohio
Ohio’s program has drawn attention from other states watching to see whether a coordinated, statewide approach to drone first response can serve as a replicable model. The pilot will run for approximately one year, evaluating response times, operational effectiveness, and opportunities for expansion.
A structured onboarding process for the nine agencies begins in early 2026, including vendor demonstrations and standardized training before operations go live this spring.