City of Stamford Launches the Public Safety Drone as First Responder Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Stamford

September 30, 2025

Contact:

Lauren Meyer

203-977-5115

[email protected]

CITY OF STAMFORD LAUNCHES THE PUBLIC SAFETY DRONE AS FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM

STAMFORD, CT - Today, Mayor Caroline Simmons announced the official launch of the City of Stamford's groundbreaking Public Safety Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program, which is scheduled to go live on October 1, 2025. This innovative initiative - developed through a collaboration between Stamford's 911 Emergency Communications Center, the Stamford Fire Department, and the Stamford Police Department - marks a major step forward in leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve emergency response and public safety in Stamford.

"This program represents a significant milestone in our ongoing investments in public safety," said Mayor Simmons. "We are proud to be leading the state with technology that allows our first responders to assess situations more quickly, safely, and with greater situational awareness."

"Every second counts in an emergency situation," said Lou DeRubeis, the City of Stamford's Director of Public Safety. "The DFR program is a valuable tool to get eyes on the scene before first responders arrive, which ultimately leads to smarter and safer outcomes. Having aerial situational intelligence in those first critical moments can make all the difference - not only for protecting our first responders, but also for saving lives in our community."

Key benefits of the DFR program include:

• Faster Response: Drones will be deployed from strategically located sites in North and South Stamford, providing citywide coverage with a response time of under 90 seconds.
• Real-Time Awareness: Live video feeds from drone cameras will be streamed directly to command staff and field personnel, improving coordination and decision-making.
• Enhanced Safety: Drones will help assess threats, monitor unfolding incidents, and support safer responses for both first responders and the public.
• Resource Efficiency: Early visual assessments will allow emergency services to better determine the appropriate level of response for each incident.

On September 25, City of Stamford public safety personnel conducted a live training exercise to test the DFR system in a real-world scenario. The drill simulated a medical emergency involving a stranded jet skier in Long Island Sound. Using the DFR system, the drone quickly located the individual and streamed live video to command units, demonstrating the speed, accuracy, and value of this technology.

The DFR program is critical especially for monitoring remote areas such as the rural terrain in North Stamford and the expansive coastline of the Long Island Sound, where traditional emergency response times can be more challenging. Drones do not film private areas without legal justification and all operations follow strict privacy policies.

More information about the Stamford Public DFR Program can be found on the City of Stamford website.