Tuscaloosa mayor proposes using drones as first responders

TUSCALOOSA, Ala (WIAT) – The City of Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox is proposing to use Drones as First Responders, DFR, which would cost the city $1.2 million.

The program would strategically place drones in docking stations throughout the city. Before this system can be installed, the City Council must approve this in their 2025 fiscal year budget.

If this happens, the City of Tuscaloosa would be the first in the State of Alabama to use this public safety program.

How would the DFR program work

When first responders are called to a scene, the Tuscaloosa’s Police Department’s Cyber-Intelligence Unit would input the address into the drone. One of the drones docked in the closest area would then calculate the fastest route to get there.

The DFR program “incorporates computers in the thinking process of having to fly,” TPD Cyber Unit Unmanned Aerial System Operations Manager Steve Zark said.

The city’s first responders already use drones when on a scene. However, when a drone is in the sky, it is being manually controlled. The officer flying the drone choses the routes.

As the drone is in route, “in real time can begin providing imagery [and] live video,” to first responders Tuscaloosa City Mayor Walt Maddox said.

If the DFR program is installed, “there is still a human aspect,” Zark said.

Cyber patrol would monitor the air space. There would be safety measures in place, and if the drone malfunctions while in route, the person monitoring the flight can take over.

What benefits could the DFR program offer

Besides cutting down on the time it takes for someone to calculate a route for the drone, the DFR program would also cut down on response time.

“In most cases, it gives us a less than five minutes response to a scene,” Maddox said.

Maddox and Zark said because intel collected would be fed to responding officers before they even arrive it would play a big role in the planning process. DFR would allow the fire department and police to “gather intelligence and ensure scene safety” before going in Zark said.

When it comes to putting out fires, knowing key facts before arrival could give firefighters an advantage.

“Being able to see the fire as soon as possible gives Incident Command time to start processing his game plan,” Tuscaloosa Fire Captain Blake Squire said.

Firefighters can start asking the questions “what are safety concerns, how many buildings are involved, size of the structure,” while still en-route Squire said.

The DFR program would also give officers an advantage in situations such as executing warrants.

“We can figure tactics and ways to execute things in the safest manner for both the police officer and the public,” Zark said.

While the DFR program would keep first responders a step ahead, Maddox also believes it would give city residents peace of mind.

“For the people of the city, it ensures as close as an immediate response as you can get,” Maddox said. “If you’re faced with a a genuine emergency, knowing that help is on the way, even in the form of an unmanned aerial system, it’s still something that gives us eyes in the skies.”

In some cases, a docked drone throughout the city could save four to five minutes in response times Zark said.

DFR would also be used in other areas.

“Where we’ve fine-tuned our skills with the police department on a public safety level, we’re going to be able to take that same knowledge and we’re going to actually support other departments within the City.”

Public water works, and transportation are some public sectors where this program could be used.

Who would oversee the drones in flight

While the DFR program remains a proposal, if passed, it would add a new job for people in the city to apply for.

Those interested do not have to be a police officer to qualify. A Tuscaloosa city resident must be at least 18 years old and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration Zark said.

Maddox said this means they can have more people to aid in public safety during a time where the whole United States faces shortages within their police departments.

What role do drones currently play in public safety

“You can see a holistic aspect of a scene versus when you drive up,” Zark said. “You’re limited on your knowledge because you’re on ground level, so getting up even 300 ft. makes a huge difference.”

Four years ago, when the Moody Music Building on the University of Alabama’s campus caught fire, a drone detected live saving intel for those putting out the flames.

“The thermal camera was able to see the heat and that the fire was right under where [the firefighters] were,” Squire said. “We were able to stop them [and] move them to a safer location.”

Having eyes in the skies gives firefighters and police officers a better viewpoint to locate evidence, identify points of entry, and people involved without going in blind.

While TPD has a helicopter which can get above a scene, drones can offer a better visual.

“We can get more close and personal and not be as intrusive on a scene,” Zark said.

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