Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Technology topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Prosper expands drone first‑responder program, authorizes $307,133 for second unit and ground radar
Summary
The council authorized the town manager to execute an agreement with Flock Inc. to expand Prosper’s drone first‑responder (DFR) program, adding a second DFR and ground‑based radar to aim for near‑complete town coverage; council approved a $307,133 contract amendment unanimously.
The Prosper Town Council unanimously approved a $307,133 agreement amendment with Flock Inc. to expand the town’s drone first‑responder (DFR) program, adding a second DFR and ground‑based radar intended to increase coverage and reduce the need for visual observers.
Chief of Police Doug Kowalski described the package as “phase 2” of the DFR program and said the town expects the expanded system to reach near‑100% coverage of Prosper when the second DFR is installed on Fire Station 2 and a ground station is placed at Fire Station 3. He said the program is grant‑funded on an 80/20 basis and that Flock has offered loaner equipment if grant funds are delayed.
Assistant Chief Scott (Bat Masterson) Brewer explained operational details and the anticipated impact on staffing, calling the concept “the DFR impact.” He said one continuously operational DFR can functionally replace the equivalent of one officer per shift (four officer positions total across a 24‑hour cycle) in operational impact terms, and adding a second DFR would increase that effect. Brewer also described plans to train in‑house pilots and eventually supplement sworn pilots with lower‑cost, non‑sworn operators.
Chief Kowalski said the town’s initial DFR pilot is grant funded and will be expanding under the proposed agreement. He noted Flock provides several technologies that will be layered with the drone — automatic license‑plate readers, portable cameras, radar and other sensors — and that the town has received interest from nearby agencies in mutual‑aid agreements.
Councilmembers asked technical questions about safety, deconfliction with other aircraft, weather limits and legal protections. Brett Kanda of Flock said the company’s system runs on a CJIS‑compliant, FedRAMP environment and that the drone payload includes thermal imaging and night‑vision capability. Staff said the docking stations have environmental controls and that operational wind limits for flight runs are typically in the 30–35 mph range; rain is permissible but high wind reduces safe operations.
Councilmember discussion noted past demonstrations and pilot deployments and the potential for operational efficiencies. Mayor Pro Tem Marcus Ray moved to authorize the town manager to execute the agreement; Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Amy Bartley seconded the motion, and the council approved it unanimously.
