Police drone program operating as a first responder; AED deliveries planned by year’s end
The police department described a drone‑as‑first‑responder program that has flown on 19 calls and averaged under three minutes to scene; the department said it plans to equip drones to deliver automated external defibrillators (AEDs) later this year.
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James City County Police briefed the supervisors on a drone‑as‑first‑responder (DFR) initiative the department began flying in April 2025. Sergeant Sykes (presenting) said the drone team — eight certified pilots operating seven drone types — has flown on 19 successful calls (police and fire) and that the drone arrived before patrol units in all but one instance, with an average response time under three minutes.
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