Ohio has selected nine public safety agencies to participate in the Ohio Statewide Drone First Responder (DFR) Pilot Program, an initiative aimed at expanding rapid aerial response capabilities across communities statewide. The program is led by the Ohio Department of Transportation and DriveOhio, with program management support from SkyfireAI.

The pilot is intended to improve situational awareness, support responder safety, and reduce emergency response times by allowing agencies to deploy drones quickly during emergencies.

Agencies Selected for the Pilot

The following agencies will take part in the program:

• City of Springfield Police/Fire/EMS

• Athens Police Department

• Lima Police Department

• Toledo Police Department

• Violet Township Fire/EMS

• Austintown Fire Department

• City of Hamilton Police/Fire/EMS

• Amherst Police Department

• Village of Kelleys Island Fire/EMS

State officials said the group represents a mix of urban, suburban, and rural jurisdictions. Several agencies have also committed to sharing drone resources with neighboring communities.

Gov. Mike DeWine said the program is designed to provide first responders with additional tools to protect lives and improve public safety across Ohio.

Program Framework and Technology

Created under Ohio House Bill 96, the statewide DFR pilot allows participating agencies to deploy state-approved, NDAA-compliant drone systems capable of rapid launch, real-time video streaming, and integration into Ohio’s developing uncrewed aircraft traffic management framework.

The pilot will use drone-in-a-box technology, allowing drones to launch from permanent docking sites and be flown remotely to emergency scenes. These systems can provide real-time visual information to incident commanders, and some may also be able to deliver critical medical supplies.

DriveOhio officials emphasized the program’s focus on standardized training, operational readiness, and responsible deployment.

“This program is about thoughtful implementation, not experimentation,” said Richard Fox, director of the DriveOhio UAS Center.

SkyfireAI is supporting the initiative as program manager, working with state agencies and local departments to ensure consistent standards.

Timeline and Evaluation

Selected agencies will begin onboarding in early 2026, including vendor demonstrations and training. Operations are expected to start in spring 2026 and continue for about one year.

The pilot will evaluate response outcomes, operational effectiveness, and opportunities for future expansion. State officials said the program is drawing national attention as a possible model for other states exploring drone first responder systems.