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Everett council approves Flock Safety drone-as-first-responder pilot, waives bidding
Summary
The Everett City Council on April 9 approved a two‑year Flock Safety drone‑as‑first‑responder pilot and waived bidding for the purchase, authorizing a product addendum that city staff said will provide citywide coverage if a second drone and radar are added.
The Everett City Council on April 9 approved a two‑year pilot program with Flock Safety to deploy drones as first responders (DFR) and waived public bidding for the purchase and services. Council approved both a resolution to waive bidding and a product addendum with Flock Safety after extended public briefing and council questions.
The pilot as described by city staff will deploy one drone initially at no cost in year one, add a second drone for a $50,000 charge in that first year to achieve citywide coverage, and carry recurring operating costs thereafter (staff estimated about $307,000 per drone per year for a configuration that includes radar; some contract materials in the packet list a $507,000 line for a 24‑month period). A radar system is required for full operations in the southern portion of Everett because of airport proximity; staff said the radar raises the unit cost for that dock.
City staff told the council the program includes an opt‑out…
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