How Do DFR Systems Stack Up Against Traditional Emergency Response?

How Do DFR Systems Stack Up Against Traditional Emergency Response?

In the new era of First Response, Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs are being deployed alongside and even ahead of traditional emergency services. Paladin’s DFR program promises faster response times, increased situational awareness, and eyes on the scene in as little as 90 seconds after an emergency call is received. But how does DFR actually compare to conventional methods that communities have trusted for decades? In today’s article, we compare both types of response side-by-side and compare their efficacy across various metrics.

What is Drone as First Responder?

DFR is exactly what it sounds like: a drone deployed to an emergency scene before responding units and crews arrive. Instead of waiting for units to get on scene, a drone can be launched within seconds and fly directly to the location of the call. From above, it provides real-time aerial video and intel that helps dispatchers and responding crews understand what’s happening before they get there.

Response Times

The national median traditional emergency response time in the United States is 7 minutes. In rural areas, this median is doubled to 14 minutes, with nearly 1 of 10 callers wait almost a half hour for the arrival of First Responders (Mell et al., 2017). Traffic, distance from the nearest station, and personnel availability all contribute to delays in response time.

Drones, however, are capable of traveling at speeds exceeding 40mph, are unimpeded by traffic and stop lights, and have the advantage of traveling on a direct path from dispatch to the scene. Paladin clients consistently reach the scene of an emergency in under 90 seconds, which can provide critical information or even drop payloads in time-sensitive scenarios such as fires and active threats.

Situational Awareness

In agencies operating with conventional methods, First Responders must rely solely on information provided by the dispatcher before they arrive at a scene, which can often be limited and inaccurate. After their arrival, ground units are able to gather more information by recording witness accounts and through their own observations. However in high-stakes emergencies, they may not have the time to develop a plan before the situation becomes critical.

In the same scenario, agencies employing DFR have near-immediate access to real-time aerial intelligence that can dramatically improve the quality of information available to First Responders, helping them develop a plan of action while en route. When seconds matter, this improved information quality and speed can be the difference between lives saved and lives lost.

Personnel Safety

It’s no secret that First Responders face significant occupational hazards. Armed individuals, structure fires, and responding to unknown situations all put human lives at risk when personnel are unsure of what to expect due to a lack of knowledge.

Drones have the advantage of investigating and assessing a scene even when conditions are unsafe for humans. In the face of an event such as an armed threat, bomb threat, or hazardous material incident, drones absorb the initial risk and let First Responders focus on entering the situation in an intentional manner. In many cases, drone response can allow a situation to de-escalate before committing ground units to the scene.

Coverage and Scalability

For every agency, coverage is directly tied to how many people are available at any given time and their geographic distribution in a community. During high-demand periods such as extreme weather or major events, personnel may be stretched thin and less effective overall.

A single Paladin drone can cover a 3 mile radius, and fleets can be scaled more affordably than additional personnel and vehicles. Multiple drones can be dispatched simultaneously to different incidents, reducing the strain on ground units.

Intervention Capability

Human Responders can make arrests, administer first aid, rescue individuals, and make judgement calls in evolving situations. This is the defining strength of traditional Emergency Response procedures, and these efforts are what make our First Responders necessary.

While current DFR systems are more robust than ever, often including speakers and flashing lights to alert people and relay information, they are limited in their capacity to physically assist individuals in need beyond dropping a payload when called for. At the end of the day, DFR is not a replacement for First Responders, but a force-multiplier, allowing personnel to operate more effectively and efficiently with one goal in mind: to keep their communities safe.

Cost and Infrastructure

Maintaining a fleet of emergency vehicles, paying staff, funding training, and operating Police, Fire and EMS departments is a substantial and constant expense for any municipality. Depending on the size of a town or city, these costs are likely a significant part of the budget and scaling may not be possible even if areas within the community are being underserved.

While drone hardware is not inexpensive and requires a significant investment, it costs only a fraction of the price of new patrol vehicles, ambulances, or firetrucks. Operational costs per deployment are low, and automated response reduces the burden on personnel. For more in-depth information about the cost of Paladin’s DFR program and to learn how you can participate in our trial Pilot Program, book a demo with us!

Let’s Sum it Up

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DFR is by no means a replacement for traditional Emergency Response— it is a powerful tool enhancing First Responders’ ability to do their work as successfully as possible. When thoughtfully integrated, DFR programs can dramatically shorten wait response times, increase safety for everyone involved, and multiply the efficacy of departments tenfold. The human element of First Response is irreplicable— judgement calls, human compassion, and physical intervention are the work of individual responders who commit to serving their communities. But based on the side-by-side comparison, it’s easy to see why so many departments are implementing DFR to assist their efforts. Paladin is proud to support First Response agencies in their mission to save lives.

Interested in learning more? Book a free demo with our team and discover how DFR can work in your agency.