Drone Responders Florida Could Be Forced to Ground All Drones Used by Florida Public Safety Agencies

For years, public safety agencies in Florida have used drones to save lives, keep people safe and help with emergency responses to fires and search and rescue missions. Now, thanks to a new rule that went into effect Wednesday, these same departments could be forced to ground their entire drone fleet. And that’s a big problem.

A new rule passed in 2021 and now fully goes into effect today bans all government agencies from using drones made by a “foreign country of concern,” which practically means China. This is a huge setback for agencies that have spent millions of dollars to build up their drone programs over the past few years. They will now have to rework their entire operations, find money to buy new drones and train employees on the new technology.

This rule was based on the assumption that Chinese-made drones pose a security threat, and it’s not without reason. After all, China is the world’s top drone manufacturer. But many US drone companies are working hard to catch up with DJI, including the recently released Autel EVO Max 4T, which is specifically geared toward public safety use.

The Wakulla Environmental Institute at Tallahassee Community College, for example, has 35 drones that it uses for disaster risk policy studies. That number includes 14 drones that have been used during emergency situations, such as the Surfside condominium collapse or Hurricane Ian last year. But now those drones will be sitting on the shelf, and the Wakulla program has been halted until new equipment can be purchased.

This is a big setback for the state’s public safety agencies, but it doesn’t just affect law enforcement and fire departments. It also impacts those who work in conservation at the state level, GIS professionals and educators who use drones in the classroom. The impact will continue for years as these agencies work to raise funds and purchase new drones.

Fortunately, lawmakers have started to step in and try to find common ground. A bill has been proposed in Mississippi that would require drone manufacturers to make their products in the United States to avoid any future restrictions like the one that took effect in Florida. And the upcoming Drone Responders Florida Public Safety Conclave, taking place next month in Orlando during AUVSI’s XPONENTIAL conference, is intended to be a forum for legislators and industry leaders to discuss how to get drone programs back up and running as soon as possible.

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