The CPSE® Center for Innovation (CPSE CFI) has developed the first and only comprehensive Guide for the Effective and Ethical Implementation of Drone as First Responder Programs. The guide builds on CPSE CFI’s July 2026 Strategic Scan on Drone as First Responder Programs and our collaborative effort with the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association on an Urban Fire Forum Position Paper on Support for the Effective and Ethical Use of Drones in First Response. Collectively, these resources help fire and emergency service agencies plan, evaluate, and ethically deploy Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs and move from interest in DFR technology to structured, community-informed implementation.

“Fire and emergency service agencies are asking how to use drone technology responsibly, effectively, and in a way that earns community trust,” said Alex Fisher, Director of the CPSE Center for Innovation. “These resources give agencies a structured place to start, grounded in data, operational experience, and ethical considerations.”

Implementation Guide Provides Practical Steps

The 32-page Guide for the Effective and Ethical Implementation of Drone as First Responder Programs outlines 21 considerations to move agencies from concept to operation. The guide covers:

  • Program planning and needs assessment
  • Technology selection and procurement
  • Staffing, training, and certification requirements
  • Community engagement strategies
  • Performance measurement and continuous improvement

A Collaborative Effort

The guide was developed with expert input from representatives from seven geographically diverse CFAI-accredited agencies. The development of both the guide and the position paper reflects a collaborative process. CPSE CFI used lessons learned from the task force to ensure the materials are rigorous and practical. The task force provided critical input on operational realities, helping ground the recommendations in the day-to-day experience of fire and emergency service agencies.

While many well-intentioned resources identify what agencies should consider, they often stop short of showing how to put those ideas into action. CPSE CFI developed the guide to help close that gap by giving agencies practical steps, decision points, and implementation considerations they can adapt to their local context. By focusing on the “how to,” the guide is intended to support agencies as they move from understanding the promise and responsibilities of DFR programs to building programs that are operationally sound, ethically grounded, and responsive to community expectations.

Related Resources

The previously mentioned Strategic Scan showed that many accredited agencies are using drones, often in partnership with the police department, and that drone footage is already being used to increase situational awareness and improve response. CPSE CFI drew on those findings and input from its seven-department task force to create the position paper and implementation guide.

The position paper establishes a principle-based framework for using drones in first response. It addresses four categories: program need and design, technology and operations, data, and engagement and trust. The Metro Chiefs Urban Fire Forum’s endorsement underscores growing national interest in integrating drone technology into first response operations effectively and ethically.

Learn More

A panel presentation featuring several task force departments will take place at CPSE’s Excellence Conference in March 2027, offering attendees an opportunity to hear directly from departments about how they worked through the key considerations outlined in the implementation guide. Organizations interested in bringing a presentation to their own audience are encouraged to contact CPSE CFI at innovation@cpse.org.

About CPSE CFI

The CPSE Center for Innovation serves as a catalyst for innovation in the fire and emergency service. A wholly owned 501(c)(3) nonprofit subsidiary of CPSE, CPSE CFI highlights innovative solutions developed by CPSE-accredited agencies and credentialed professionals and addresses an industry-wide gap in evidence-based decision making. Learn more at https://www.innovationcpse.org.