20-04-2025
Drone saves man hit by train in Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Cutting-edge technology is saving lives in Oklahoma City.
Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs utilize drones to respond to calls quicker and more efficiently.
The Oklahoma City Police Department and the Oklahoma City Fire Department has been laying the groundwork for the program here for a few years.
'It is deploying drones in docks spread out through the city of Oklahoma City that allows us to respond to calls for service in multiple different facets,' said Sgt. Dax Laporte with OKCPD.
Drones are launches from rooftop docks and can be overheard in less than two minutes, sending back real-time footage.
'They are providing situational awareness they need to make better tactical decisions, more effective resource allocation and to have better outcomes in the incidents they respond to,' said Noreen Charlton, public safety strategy for Skydio.
This program was proven successful just two weeks ago, when a train conductor called 911, believing he may have hit someone, but didn't know where and trains don't stop quickly.
A drone was launched, finding the man within minutes and guiding fire personnel to the scene.
'Sold out!': Child recommends speeding ticket for mom in Moore
'Access was a huge issue in this instance and knowing which direction to come from, saving those seconds and that's really what made the difference,' said Lucas Qualls, district chief of support services.
The man had serious injuries and likely would not have survived without the drone's deployment.
The drones also have thermal imaging to help with fighting fires.
'We were able to put it above the burning structure and really give us an awareness of where the fires are, where victims or trapped occupants may be and where we can better serve the citizens that were responding to,' said Qualls.
They can also determine a call's priority.
'If they can definitively clear this call, it allows it whether it be police, fire to cancel going to that call and it makes them available for something that could be even more priority,' said Sgt. Laporte.
Drone company Skydio says Oklahoma City is the first place she's seen two departments work together to utilize the program..
Right now, there are only two docks in the city, but the plan is to have twenty by December. The end goal is 50 over the next few years.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
