Louisville launches DFR program to improve safety and situational awareness

Synopsis

Louisville Fire and LMPD are rolling out a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, placing drones at eight firehouses across the city. When a 911 call is in progress, a drone can launch autonomously—even before first responders are fully dispatched—and fly directly to the scene.

In a recent demonstration, a drone launched from a dock roughly a mile away quickly reached the area near the Big Four Bridge to locate a person in distress in the water. The drone helped direct rescue boats precisely to the individual’s location, saving time and increasing safety.

Mounted on fire station rooftops, the Skydio docks will enable rapid, automated response. LMPD sees DFR as a way to gain “first eyes on scene,” improving safety and situational awareness for all responding agencies—fire, EMS, police, and more.

Mayor Craig Greenberg said, “Soon, these drones will be used to respond to various types of emergency calls—from active shooters, to fires, to missing persons searches. By working together, we’re giving first responders faster, smarter tools to keep our city safer.”