By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Ohio officials launched a Drone First Responder pilot at nine public safety locations across the state to expand aerial response capabilities.
• Participating agencies — including police, fire and EMS — will use standardized drones with rapid launch and real-time data streaming.
• The initiative is part of a state effort to integrate uncrewed aircraft into emergency response under Ohio House Bill 96.
• Operations are expected to begin spring 2026 and run about a year to evaluate statewide adoption.
COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio officials announced the launch of a Drone First Responder pilot program at nine selected police, fire and EMS agencies across the state as part of a broader effort to integrate uncrewed aircraft systems into public safety operations.
The pilot provides participating agencies with standardized drone systems capable of rapid deployment and real-time video streaming to improve situational awareness at emergency incidents, officials said.
The initiative, created under Ohio House Bill 96, is managed by the Ohio Department of Transportation’s DriveOhio division with support from SkyfireAI and coordinated with local public safety leadership.
Pilot participants include public safety units in communities such as Springfield, Athens, Lima, Toledo, Violet Township, Austintown, Hamilton, Amherst and the Village of Kelleys Island.
Agency leaders said the drones will support missions including scene assessment and hazard identification while providing training, regulatory guidance and integration into the state’s uncrewed traffic management system.
Officials expect drone operations to begin in spring 2026 and continue for approximately one year, with data from the pilot informing decisions about future expansion and technology adoption statewide.