St. Cloud Police cut response times with DFR program
The St. Cloud Police Department has launched a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program to speed emergency response and enhance safety for both officers and the community.
For years, St. Cloud officers manually deployed drones on scene—a process that took time and attention away from the incident. Now, with two strategically located drone dock stations, officers can launch drones remotely within seconds of a 911 call. The live aerial video feeds responders real-time intelligence before they arrive, helping them plan safer approaches, identify risks, and prioritize resources.
Chief Douglas Goerke called the program “a game-changer… putting eyes on an emergency scene faster than ever before, allowing us to gather life-saving information and de-escalate situations with greater precision.”
Powered by American-made Skydio X10 drones, each aircraft features thermal imaging, safety lighting, and parachute recovery systems. These capabilities give dispatchers and first responders early insight into critical details—such as fire spread, suspect movement, or crowd size—so they can make better decisions in the moment.
The department plans to expand from two to four dock locations to extend coverage citywide. With a five-year, $890,000 investment, St. Cloud PD is demonstrating how thoughtful use of technology can deliver faster response, improved officer safety, and stronger community trust.
- (dramatic music)
- - Now we're one with thousands of emergency.
- (dramatic music)
- All right, just stay on the line.
- We got a few information,
- and then I'll have officers dispatch to the area.
- (dramatic music)
- - During an emergency, every moment matters.
- That's why getting accurate information
- to the first responders as quickly as possible is critical.
- (dramatic music)
- (beep)
- - I think I'll get you a response.
- The area, fourth in California.
- That's the missing juvenile.
- - Thank God, I'm with you 20 here on Falcon 1 and Falcon 2.
- - Copy, both firearms are right.
- - St. Cloud's new drone's first responder program
- does exactly that.
- With cutting-edge skydio technology,
- our new DFR drones get real-time views from the scene
- to let our police and firefighters know exactly
- where to send resources to help the most.
- - Falcon 1 and Falcon 2 launching.
- (speaks in foreign language)
- Falcon 2 in route.
- (speaks in foreign language)
- - Myself and India 7 were gonna be in route to that turn out.
- - Falcon 1 launching, I'll check the lake front.
- - Ready to launch at a moment's notice,
- our DFR drones are housed in docks
- located strategically around the city.
- When needed, they can be launched in seconds
- and on their way to help.
- Want to see how we're using this technology
- to assist our fire rescue and police first responders?
- You can view our drone flight information now
- on our online dashboard.
- - Falcon 2 searching, California 3rd.
- (dramatic music)
- - Falcon 1, you get as many of them as possible.
- You get in how much you measure the trip today,
- so you can't go to a new play area.
- (dramatic music)
- (speaks in foreign language)
- - Equipped with cameras that let us see near afar
- and even through fog or at night,
- our DFR drones are ready to fly at any time in any weather
- to help protect the citizens of St. Cloud.
- (speaks in foreign language)
- (dramatic music)
- (dramatic music)
- - Can you stand for me?
- - Cool.
- (dramatic music)
- - St. Cloud Police Department's new drone
- is first responder cover,
- designed to enhance emergency response times
- and significantly increase the safety
- of both the public and first responders.
- (dramatic music)
Watch Time
3 Mins 20 Secs