JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is expanding its use of drone technology with the launch of a new Drone as First Responder pilot program designed to provide officers with real-time intelligence before they arrive at emergency scenes.
The agency announced the initiative as part of its continued investment in technology aimed at improving response times, enhancing officer safety and increasing situational awareness as Jacksonville continues to grow.
The new program builds on the success of the sheriff’s office’s existing Eagle Eye patrol-based drone program, which has been used to locate missing and endangered people, track fleeing suspects, recover evidence and provide thermal imaging and aerial support during fires and other emergencies.
Unlike traditional drone deployments, the Drone as First Responder program uses drones stationed in remote docking systems at strategic locations throughout the city. When a call for service is received, a drone can launch automatically and fly to the scene while being operated remotely by a member of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Unmanned Aerial Systems team from headquarters.
According to the sheriff’s office, the drones have reached emergency scenes in as little as 42 seconds during recent deployments. Officials said the technology has helped locate suspects before patrol officers arrived and has provided responding units with live aerial intelligence to improve tactical decision-making.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the drones are intended to support, not replace, police officers by providing additional information that can improve public safety and officer safety during emergency responses.
The expansion is being supported by $610,000 in state funding, which will allow the agency to purchase additional Eagle Eye drones and related equipment to expand coverage to more neighborhoods throughout Jacksonville.