By Yaniv Mendelson and Don Redmond
Picture this: A patrol car is stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, sirens blaring, en route to a highway accident. Before officers can reach the scene, a drone is deployed to survey the crash ahead, delivering live aerial footage that reveals the scope of the crash — how many vehicles are involved, whether there are injuries, and if there’s risk of fire or explosion. The officers haven’t yet arrived, but they already know what they’re walking into.
This isn’t a glimpse into the future. This is what’s happening right now at public safety agencies across America — from the Newport Beach Police Department in California to the Schenectady Police Department in New York — as Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs respond to emergencies before ground units do. These programs enhance situational awareness, improve responder safety and accelerate critical decision-making.
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Core components that unlock DFR’s full potential
At their core, DFR programs combine specialized drones with software platforms that manage operations, stream live video, and ensure secure, compliant data handling. Reliable communications, often through redundant cellular and mesh networks, keep drones connected in complex or obstructed environments.
Currently, most DFR programs fall under one of three FAA-sanctioned operational models:
- Line-of-sight flights where an officer visually monitors the drone;
- Shielded operations that fly below 200 feet using waivers and rely on nearby aircraft broadcasting ADS-B signals;
- Fully autonomous beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights up to 400 feet, enabled by electronic observers like radar.
It’s this third category that allows agencies to extend drone coverage dramatically while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.
When altitude matters for DFR programs
Raising the ceiling beyond 200 feet can boost the effectiveness of DFR programs. At higher altitudes, drones gain a broad field of view that can offer clear situational awareness essential for effective decision-making during complex incidents. Elevated flight can also enable more discreet operations, which are valuable in sensitive scenarios like suspect pursuits or hostage situations. Plus, in urban environments, flying higher helps drones safely navigate above obstacles like buildings and power lines, extending operational range and improving reliability.
The role of radar in enabling BVLOS
Expanding DFR programs into BVLOS territory requires solving key challenges around airspace awareness, collision avoidance and communications reliability. Radar plays a crucial role here. Unlike ADS-B or Remote ID, which rely on other aircraft voluntarily broadcasting their position, radar detects all aircraft in real time, whether cooperative or not. It offers a complete picture of the airspace and functions regardless of weather, time of day or human fatigue.
Not all radar is created equal, especially when it comes to flying BVLOS. The most effective radar systems offer high detection accuracy and perform reliably in all kinds of weather. The best of them go a step further, with both onboard and cloud-based processing that delivers real-time threat data directly into the command-and-control (C2) system.
As the lower airspace becomes more congested, it’s increasingly important that radar not only detect objects but also identify and differentiate between them. That includes everything from other drones and birds to crewed aircraft and more.
Just as important is how well the radar integrates. Whether it’s a standalone DFR program or part of a broader VMS or dispatch system, radar should slot in without added complexity. The right solution makes BVLOS flight safer, more automated and less dependent on human observers, which enables 24/7 coverage while reducing staffing burdens.
Regulatory challenges and opportunities
Obtaining a BVLOS waiver is a rigorous process, and rightly so. The FAA prioritizes airspace safety, requiring that operators prove their systems can detect nearby aircraft, avoid collisions autonomously and maintain secure command-and-control links. Radar meets these standards, positioning it as a cornerstone technology for agencies seeking to expand their DFR programs.
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Benefits of drones flying BVLOS
The benefits of BVLOS flight for police and fire agencies go beyond range. By significantly reducing response times, drones capture more crimes in progress as evidence for later criminal proceedings. These drones can also reach areas that are inaccessible to vehicles during natural disasters or traffic jams, and they can navigate complex terrain.
Beyond field performance, BVLOS flight also addresses a practical staffing challenge many law enforcement agencies experience. The demand for police services has increased over the years, placing an immense burden on existing resources. According to a 2024 study by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, over 70% of agencies reported that hiring is more difficult now than five years ago. Requiring a dedicated person to maintain visual contact with a drone isn’t always feasible. With BVLOS, departments can maximize coverage without increasing personnel demands.
Building the future of public safety
Looking forward, as the national airspace becomes more crowded with crewed and uncrewed aircraft alike, radar’s role will only grow. Its ability to detect any flying object, regardless of size, speed or communication method, makes it an indispensable tool for safe and scalable BVLOS operations. Agencies that invest early in radar and other core technologies will be best positioned to expand their reach, meet regulatory standards and stay ahead as DFR programs evolve.
By embracing BVLOS and the tools that make it possible, public safety agencies can transform emergency response, delivering faster, smarter and safer outcomes for the communities they serve.
About the authors
Yaniv Mendelson is the Director of Business Development at Echodyne, a leader in cutting-edge radar technologies. With over 20 years of experience in business development, sales, system integration and project management, Yaniv has consistently driven the adoption of advanced radar and sensing solutions across dynamic, high-stakes industries. Before joining Echodyne, Yaniv held senior leadership roles at Xsight Systems, a global pioneer in Foreign Object Debris (FOD) detection radar, and Gilat Satellite Networks, where he specialized in advanced antenna systems. Yaniv holds a Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with a specialty in radar technologies, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Tel Aviv University. His blend of technical expertise and strategic leadership continues to shape innovation and growth in the radar and sensing landscape.
Don Redmond is a retired Chula Vista Police Captain and Vice President of Advanced Public Safety Projects at BRINC. He brings over 25 years of law enforcement experience to his role of integrating UAS technologies into public safety departments around the world to help keep communities safer and save more lives. Over his law enforcement career, his assignments have included everything from SWAT Team Leader and Patrol Watch Commander to Dispatch Manager and Jail Commander. As Police Captain, Don oversaw Support Operations consisting of the Emergency Police Communications Center, Technology, the City Jail, and UAS Operations. He also managed the Chula Vista Police Department’s groundbreaking UAS program, including the Drone as First Responder (DFR) and is active in the UAS community. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, San Diego State University, P.O.S.T. Command College, and the FBI National Academy, Don has also written articles for Police1 Magazine, FBINAA Magazine, and the California P.O.S.T. De-Escalation Strategies and Techniques publication.
