Operational Requirements

A Drone as First Responder (DFR) program such as DroneSense Remote is a transformative approach to emergency response, using advanced drone technology to provide rapid situational awareness and critical support to first responders during incidents. These programs enhance public safety by enabling drones to arrive at emergency scenes faster than traditional units, providing real-time aerial views that aid in assessing risks and deploying resources efficiently. However, the success of DFR programs hinges on strict regulatory compliance and adherence to aviation safety standards. Compliance with regulations set by aviation authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is essential to operate drones safely within controlled airspace and near populated areas, ensuring that these life-saving operations minimize risks to both responders and the public. By prioritizing rigorous safety protocols, DFR programs not only safeguard aviation integrity but also build public trust, establishing drones as reliable assets in critical, time-sensitive scenarios.

A critical component of the Drones as First Responders (DFR) program is a comprehensive Concept of Operations (CONOPS) that ensures structured, safe, and efficient deployment of drone assets. This CONOPS should integrate robust airspace management tools, such as those offered by DroneSense Remote, which enable real-time tracking, geofencing, and compliance with air traffic requirements to maintain operational safety and situational awareness.

These Concepts of Operations for DroneSense Remote can be a standard setup with an aircraft stationed at a launch site that requires a Remote Pilot in Command of the Aircraft and a Remote Operator in the Remote Operations Control Site flying the aircraft or a True Beyond Visual Line of Sight operation involving a Dock and additional Detect and Avoid Systems integrated into the DroneSense Remote System.  

Once the Concept of Operations has been determined, users can proceed with site selection and development, equipment purchases, and training.  

In general, the more you can prepare your environment and equipment for any contingency, the better prepared your program will be to respond to an event using DroneSense Remote.

The most commonly encountered issues are Connectivity, Hardware Readiness, and Airspace Management.

For Connectivity, high-speed internet is required for both the Remote Pilot In Command (RPIC) and Remote Operator.  This connection must ensure there are no firewall or other network security issues. Refer to the Firewall Security article to ensure you can connect to the drone and stream video back to the DroneSense platform

For Hardware, you are attempting to operate your mission with Supported Aircraft for DroneSense Remote.  Be sure your firmware is up to date, and you have sufficient backup batteries on hand to cover every component of your setup—drone batteries, spare controllers when available, backup tablets, and sufficient power on-site to charge each.

For Airspace, in addition to the required waivers and authorizations from the Federal Aviation Administration, you will need to deal with locked airspace enforced by DJI if operating DJI Aircraft. To address this, your agency will need to be signed up for DJI's Qualified Entities Program (QEP).

• The DJI QEP Program article provides more background and has links to the forms you need to sign up with DJI.

The QEP: Fly Zones Unlocks in DroneSense Mobile article describes how to log in to the DJI QEP portal from the DroneSense Mobile app and unlock no-fly zones.