08/28/2026
There is a little more than classroom learning happening here. Around a dozen of our staff members are working toward their FAA Part 107 certification, which will allow them to operate drones as part of a future department drone program. Several Clayton Police Department officers joined us for the training, too.
Why drones? They can give first responders a view they cannot always get from the ground. During a fire, crews could use an aerial view to see conditions around a building or across a large area. During a search for a missing person, a drone could help cover ground more quickly. They can also help responders get a better look at an emergency scene while keeping crews a safe distance from potential hazards.
Our drone program has not launched yet, but this training is one of the steps toward getting there.
A big thank you to the Clayton Police Department for hosting us in its training room and learning alongside us. We are looking forward to seeing where this new tool can take us.