OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — A man struck by a train in Oklahoma City likely wouldn’t have survived — if not for a drone.
The Oklahoma City Police Department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) program was put to the test recently when a train conductor called 911, believing he may have hit someone but unsure where the person was, KFOR reported. A drone was deployed within minutes, quickly locating the man and directing fire crews to his exact location.
“Access was a huge issue in this instance and knowing which direction to come from, saving those seconds and that’s really what made the difference,” said Lucas Qualls, district chief of support services with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.
The man was seriously injured, but thanks to the rapid drone deployment and real-time location data, emergency crews reached him in time.
For several years, OKCPD and the Oklahoma City Fire Department have been laying the groundwork for the DFR program. It relies on rooftop drone docks stationed across the city, allowing responders to launch a drone and receive live footage in under two minutes.
“They are providing situational awareness they need to make better tactical decisions, more effective resource allocation and to have better outcomes in the incidents they respond to,” said Noreen Charlton, public safety strategy for Skydio, told KFOR.
Sgt. Dax Laporte with OKCPD told KFOR the technology allows police and fire to respond more effectively across a wide range of calls.
“It is deploying drones in docks spread out through the city of Oklahoma City that allows us to respond to calls for service in multiple different facets,” he said.
The drones also assist in fire suppression with thermal imaging capabilities, helping responders locate hot spots and possible victims inside burning structures.
Beyond emergencies, drones can even help determine whether a response is needed at all.
As the program continues to expand, public safety officials say the drones are proving to be more than a high-tech tool — they’re becoming a life-saving partner in the field.
