DRPS launches pilot project for first-responder drones
Lisha Van Nieuwenhove
The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) recently announced that it is launching its first-ever Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot project, “bringing innovative aviation technology directly into front-line emergency response.” T
According to a news release on the DRPS website, the DFR system deploys remotely piloted drones to certain emergency calls, often arriving on scene within approximately 60 seconds to provide first responders with immediate, real-time situational awareness. It is one of the first DFR pilot projects in Canada.
“This rapid-response capability allows officers to assess risks earlier, plan safer approaches, and coordinate more effectively before arriving on scene,” says the release. The pilot will be supported by drone dock sites strategically positioned throughout the Region to provide continuous overlapping coverage. Several launch locations are already fully prepared, with additional sites to come.
The release also said that all DFR operations comply with Transport Canada authorizations, the approved Privacy Impact Assessment, and all provincial and federal privacy legislation. The system apparently: is not used for general surveillance; does not use facial recognition or automated identification technology; and only launches for specific emergency or operational incidents, similar to dispatching a patrol unit or helicopter.
Some examples of situations the DFR system is expected to support are: unknown‑risk or high‑risk calls; missing persons investigations; large, complex, or evolving scenes; and natural disasters or sudden emergencies
“Public transparency is a core element of the project,” says the DRPS. It says it will release public-facing materials, including previously collected video footage, to help the community understand how the system works and how privacy is protected.
Throughout the pilot period, DRPS will collect data on response times, operational efficiency, safety considerations, call types, and overall effectiveness. Findings will guide future decision making and inform upcoming funding applications.
DRPS will host a Drone as First Responder Community Information Night for residents at the Audley Recreation Centre, Ajax, on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. There will be a live drone demonstrations, an opportunity to meet the drone pilots, information about how the DFR system operates, details on privacy protections and oversight, and insight into what the pilot means for community safety.
Questions about this pilot project can be directed through www.drps.ca/DFR.