Montgomery Expands Innovative Drone Program to Enhance Public Safety – Conduit Street

Montgomery County is expanding its groundbreaking Drone as First Responder program to reduce emergency response times and increase public safety.

The program initially launched in Silver Spring and Wheaton, but now includes central Bethesda and Gaithersburg. The expansion follows the program’s successful pilot phase, in which drones provided critical real-time information to first responders before they arrived on scene.

According to The Washington Post:

The program, now nine months old, has emerged as a national leader among about 50 programs using drones as “first responders” that are in development or in use across the United States, officials said.

Public safety agencies across the country are increasingly using drones for emergency response and disaster relief.

Drones can quickly reach areas that are difficult or dangerous for humans to reach, providing real-time aerial imagery and situational awareness. They aid in search and rescue operations, firefighting, and monitoring hazardous situations, ultimately saving lives and resources.

Despite the many benefits to public safety, widespread use raises significant concerns about privacy, security, and operational risks. Therefore, it is imperative to balance the benefits of drone technology with the need to protect civil liberties and safety.

During this year’s MACo Summer Conference session, “Eye in the Sky: New Tech Enhancing Public Safety,” a panel of experts will share best practices and implementation strategies for leveraging emerging technologies to improve public safety.

MACo’s summer conference, “Turning the Tide,” will take place August 14-17, 2024 at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland.

Learn more aboutMACo Summer Conference: