Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time

In Part 2 of this episode, the conversation shifts from early proof-of-concept moments to the broader ecosystem that now surrounds public safety drone programs.
Joe Kearns shares powerful examples from recent disaster response operations, including a hurricane response in Asheville where drones were used not only to locate trapped victims but also to deliver food, water, and medicine to people cut off from rescue teams.
Beyond the technology itself, the discussion explores the training systems, standards, and leadership required to scale drone programs responsibly. As drones become more embedded in emergency response, the conversation is no longer about whether they belong in public safety, but how agencies prepare the next generation of operators to use them effectively.

In Part 1 of this episode, Chief Wayne Baker walks through the early incidents that defined the role of drones in public safety.
This is not a conversation about equipment specs or flight times. It is about real calls. A rare flood that turned a creek into a river. A wildfire that concealed a second advancing head. Moments where visibility meant the difference between reaction and prevention.
Chief Baker shares how those experiences shifted the mindset inside agencies. What began as curiosity around drones became a recognition that aerial intelligence fundamentally changes command decisions. The question is no longer whether drones are useful. It is how agencies operate without them.

In this episode, Jeff Alexy, robotics program manager and chief drone pilot for the San Bernardino County Fire Department, explains how drones are fundamentally changing fire response, search and rescue, and situational awareness. From resolving homeless cooking fires without deploying million‑dollar fire apparatus to locating lost hikers at night using thermal imaging to working with the FAA on a first‑of‑its‑kind 24/7 aerial surveillance platform, Jeff outlines what modern public safety response looks like when drones are treated as core infrastructure.
[This episode was recorded on May 20, 2025. Some references may reflect information available at that time.]

In this episode, Curt Lary breaks down the difference between true drone autonomy and remotely operated systems in public safety environments. He explains why battery swapping, automated pre-flight inspections, and uncompromising reliability are essential for Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) programs, especially when responding to 911 calls where uptime and readiness directly impact outcomes.

In Part 2 of this DroneCast conversation, we continue our discussion with Christopher Robertson, diving deeper into the realities of building and sustaining public safety drone programs. From chasing grant funding and operating cutting-edge aircraft like the Dragonfish, to addressing public perception, regulatory hurdles, and the rise of Drones as First Responders (DFR), Chris offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to move UAS programs forward. This episode explores not just technology—but trust, funding, leadership, and the future of drone integration in public safety.