Red Deer, Alta. – In the coming months, community members in Red Deer may notice drones flying more frequently overhead, as Red Deer RCMP implement a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program to enhance public safety.
The DFR program is an expansion of the technology currently being utilized, with the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). RPAS technology has been used by the Red Deer RCMP since 2020 for a variety of needs including search and rescue, missing persons and major crime investigations, suspect apprehension, and emergency response team calls.
While Red Deer RCMP will continue to use RPAS as a response tool for police, the DFR is being added to enhance service delivery and emergency response for public safety.
“This endeavour dates back to May of 2024 when the Red Deer RCMP was part of a DFR pilot program held by K Division RCMP Air Services,” says S/Sgt. Jay Jestings, Red Deer RCMP. “Since then, there has been a lot of work in the background trying to develop and launch a DFR specific to the needs of all emergency services groups here in the city of Red Deer. The great news is, we are very close to finalizing the remaining details and can see a launch date in the very near future.”
Drone as First Responder is a significant evolution in emergency response, where a trained drone pilot will launch a drone and respond to calls for service ahead of a police officer or other emergency personnel. The pilot will log into the drone at the start of a shift and use the drone to respond to a call in the first instance. Using drones as first responders enhances the safety of the public, as well as the safety of police and other first responders, including Firefighters, Paramedics and By-law officers.
Supt. Glassford, Red Deer RCMP Officer-In-Charge, observed the benefits of DFR first-hand during the 2024 pilot program. “After two years of development, I am excited to see this initiative come to fruition. Red Deer RCMP is the first detachment in the country to implement Drones as First Responders. Having the drone attend a scene before responding personnel allows for a real-time analysis of the situation. We are then able to allocate appropriate resources based on the specific nature of that call for service. This gives us the opportunity to respond in a proactive manner and alleviate sending resources that aren’t required, while enhancing the safety of our officers and the public.”
The drones will be launched from two fixed locations, being the north and south Red Deer RCMP detachments and will be piloted using existing Red Deer RCMP RPAS trained members. In preparation of the official launch, current RPAS pilots will receive enhanced specialized training in the coming weeks.
This DFR program has been a collaborated effort between Red Deer Emergency Services, Red Deer Fire, the City of Red Deer Municipal Policing Services, Alberta RCMP Operational Communications Centre (OCC) and K Division Air Services, and Red Deer RCMP members within the detachment.
The DFR will be used operationally within Red Deer to support RCMP, Fire, EMS, By-Law Municipal Enforcement, and the City of Red Deer during frontline operations and enforcement. In additional to police response, the DFR will be utilized to assist Red Deer Emergency Services with Fire and EMS calls.
As we move forward with an official launch in the coming months, Red Deer RCMP and the City of Red Deer will be releasing more information and details about the program.
Red Deer RCMP understand that the presence of these aircraft may raise questions or concerns regarding privacy. RCMP would like to reassure the public that the use of RPAS and DFR will be carried out in accordance with applicable laws and legislation, which includes strict privacy and legal guidelines. Police drone technology will not be used for random surveillance or to collect personal footage and are not used without lawful authority.
The Red Deer RCMP remains committed to using technology responsibly and transparently, with a continued focus on public safety and community trust.
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