Foley, Al. — (GSN) — The City of Foley is advancing a new public safety initiative that places drone technology on the front lines of emergency response. The Foley City Council approved a program authorizing the Foley Police Department to deploy drones as first responders. The department has partnered with Skydio, the largest U.S.-based drone manufacturer, to integrate aerial technology into its emergency response system. The program is designed to provide "eyes on scene" within seconds of an emergency call.

When active emergency calls come in, a Skydio drone automatically launches from a fixed station within the city. The drone flies directly to the exact GPS coordinates of the reported incident, arriving in a fraction of the time it takes ground units to respond. Live video is then streamed in real time directly to dispatchers and responding officers.

City officials emphasize that these drones are strictly for emergency use only. Addressing recent community concerns regarding surveillance technology, such as Flock cameras, officials reiterated that the drone program is engineered purely for rapid incident response and does not track, monitor, or interfere with citizen privacy.

Key public safety benefits include:

• Strictly Emergency Response: Drones are deployed solely during active emergency calls to provide immediate visual assessment, with no general surveillance or routine monitoring of residents or public spaces.
• Privacy Protection: Unlike broad monitoring systems, the drones operate strictly on a targeted, event-driven basis to protect public privacy while ensuring safety.
• Enhanced Officer Safety: Live video feeds give officers critical situational awareness before they arrive, helping them de-escalate volatile situations safely.
• Faster Response Times: Drones reach emergency scenes ahead of ground units to provide instant tactical clarity.
• Optimized Resource Allocation: Real-time video allows police and fire supervisors to dispatch the exact type and level of aid required.
• Search & Rescue Support: Airborne visual assistance offers crucial support during active searches for missing persons.

The Foley Police Department stated the drones are "strictly designed as an emergency response tool, solely utilized to bring real-time situational awareness and visual insight to active emergency scenes within minutes."

Department leaders remain committed to full transparency and keeping the public informed as the program comes online. Additional updates will be provided as implementation continues.