Understanding the Dynamics of Drone First Response (DFR)
At first glance, Drone First Response (DFR) might seem like a challenge of covering a large land area. The logic is simple: a drone can only travel so fast, so to achieve a desired response time, it can only cover a certain radius. However, when we delve into real-world applications and examine the data on incidents and responses, it becomes evident that the primary issue is not the coverage area but the volume of incidents.
This realization is intuitive if we consider the purpose of DFR, which is to respond to incidents. When determining the number of officers an agency needs, the need is more closely related to the volume of incidents rather than the size of the area they cover. Public safety professionals understand this well—while the land area is a consideration, the volume of incidents is the dominant factor.
The Case of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and New York City
Take, for example, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) and the New York Police Department (NYPD). CMPD covers 438 square miles with 1,900 officers, whereas the NYPD covers 469 square miles with a staggering 36,000 officers. Though the land areas are comparable, New York City’s higher population density translates into a much higher volume of incidents, necessitating almost 19 times more officers. DFR follows this same pattern: effective deployment often requires multiple drones in a given area because during peak times, there may be several incidents occurring simultaneously that benefit from DFR involvement. For instance, would Miami’s metropolitan area require the same drone density as Pasco County, Florida? Probably not, because the incident volumes are likely different.
Strategic Positioning of Drone Docks
The crucial question then becomes: where should these drone assets be stationed? From a purely response time perspective, the ideal strategy would involve distributing individual docks based on the density of incident volumes. However, practical considerations like real estate availability, installation expenses, and maintenance costs cannot be overlooked. Managing fewer sites is more cost-effective and efficient. This is where the concept of "Hives" comes into play. Hives are clusters of 2-5 docks that provide ultra-fast response times over a particular area. They are particularly advantageous because they can address multiple incidents within that area or maintain continuous surveillance on critical incidents by dispatching drones to offer on-scene support. Our studies on actual DFR deployments have shown that this is a frequent occurrence.
The Skydio Advantage
Skydio, a leading company in the DFR space, has developed models to support simultaneous incident responses. These models ensure that longer response times can still keep a continuous watch on a scene, enhancing officer safety and increasing the chances of apprehending suspects. The DFR sector is seeing rapid growth, with various companies experimenting with different methodologies. This diversity is beneficial for everyone involved, as it promotes learning and innovation. However, one undeniable truth is that incident volume, rather than land area, is the key metric for efficiency in most agencies. While not all competitors may agree with this approach yet, it’s likely that they will come around as they gain more experience and deployments.
Cost-Effectiveness and Innovation
Skydio’s cost-per-incident capability is unparalleled in the current market. Their cost per dock is significantly lower than that of competitors, and with built-in 5G technology, a single dock can cover a larger area. This makes the cost per area lower for agencies that choose to deploy just one dock, although Skydio prioritizes other metrics since area coverage is less critical. The company is committed to leveraging data for optimal outcomes, having developed a simulator that uses historical incident data to design and evaluate different deployment strategies based on facts rather than opinions.
Future of Drone First Response
DFR is not just a technological advancement but a strategic evolution in public safety. The ability to respond quickly and effectively to multiple incidents can transform how agencies operate, leading to safer communities and more efficient use of resources. As the field continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how new technologies and strategies are adopted. For agencies considering DFR, Skydio offers to collaborate and explore possibilities tailored to their specific needs.
In conclusion, while DFR might initially appear to be about covering land, it’s fundamentally about managing and responding to incident volumes. As technology advances and more data becomes available, the strategies for deploying drones will continue to evolve, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of public safety efforts.
For more insights and detailed analysis, you can explore the original article on Skydio’s blog here.
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