Red Deer RCMP logs 324 drone flights since June under first-responder program
Red Deer RCMP says it is the first Canadian detachment to launch a Drone as First Responder program, using rooftop-launched drones to support officers, peace officers and emergency crews.
Why it matters
The program shows how Red Deer is piloting new technology that could shape emergency response practices across Alberta.
Red Deer RCMP has declared its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program a success since its June launch, saying it is the first detachment in Canada to run such a program. The initiative builds on a multi-year pilot project that tested how remotely piloted aircraft could support policing before the current model was put in place through partnerships with the City of Red Deer and Red Deer Emergency Services.
Under DFR, drones launch from the rooftops of the north and south detachments whenever a call for service comes in, giving officers an aerial view as they respond. Supt. Holly Glassford said the technology helps identify hazards, locate people and provide situational awareness, and can respond to lower-priority calls when officers are unavailable. She cited an assault call where a drone tracked a fleeing suspect from the air, leading to an arrest.
Red Deer RCMP currently operates two drones, which have flown about 324 flights since June. City municipal policing services manager John Ferguson said the tool helps ensure the right resources are deployed and speeds up emergency response. Red Deer Emergency Services Acting Chief Curtis Schaefer said drones have also been used during fire calls to confirm crews are heading in the right direction, improving safety and response times. Cst. Sandra Geiger noted Calgary Police has since launched its own pilot program, with another reported in British Columbia.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.