Welcome to the future of emergency response in Strathcona County

Strathcona County Emergency Services is proud to introduce the Drone First Responder (DFR) pilot program, an initiative that puts Strathcona County at the forefront of public safety innovation in Canada. As one of the first fire departments in the country to deploy drones as part of emergency response, we’re changing how help arrives when it matters most.

What is Drone First Responder?

DFR uses advanced drones to support emergency operations. Unlike traditional drones, which had to stay within sight of the pilot, DFR drones can fly up to 3.7 km (to start) from their base at Fire Stations 1 and 6, beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight. This covers approximately 90% of Sherwood Park.

This means drones can be dispatched alongside fire crews and often arrive before the fire apparatus, providing real-time aerial views and situational awareness to help crews prepare and respond more efficiently. The distance the drones will be able to fly may increase throughout the pilot.

How DFR improves emergency response

• Rapid arrival: Drones can reach emergency scenes faster than fire trucks, delivering live video to crews en route.
• Enhanced decision-making: Real-time footage helps crews scale resources up or down, improving efficiency and safety.
• Comprehensive scans: Drones can complete a 360° scan of large buildings in minutes, saving valuable time compared to manual checks.
• Minimal disruption: Flying at 61 metres (200 ft) above ground, drone noise is minimal, reducing disturbance for residents.

Why Drones?

Since 2017, SCES’s Unmanned Aerial Team has used drones to:

• Locate hot spots during fires
• Assist in search and rescue
• Provide aerial views during emergencies

DFR builds on this experience, expanding the range and capabilities of our drone operations.

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Partnerships and innovation

The DFR program is a two-year pilot project in partnership with AIRmarket. The program is being funded by the Province’s Emissions Reduction grant. AIRmarket is developing one of Canada’s first Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Traffic Management Systems, with DFR serving as a proof-of-concept for their technology. SCES provides flight path and time information to AIRmarket to support this innovative work.

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Protecting your privacy

Resident privacy is a top priority:

• Cameras face forward during flight, not downward.
• Recording begins only at the scene, not during transit.
• Footage is reviewed by Emergency Services to determine if it should be kept.
• A Privacy Impact Assessment has been completed by the County’s Legislative, Legal and Procurement department.
• Any retained video is stored securely and may be used for training or investigations.
• Only SCES staff have access to video footage.

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Common questions

• How far can drones fly? Up to 3.7 km (to start) from Fire Stations 1 and 6. The range may increase as the pilot progresses.
• How fast can drones fly? They can travel up to 60 km/hour
• How is safety ensured? Drones are equipped with parachutes for malfunctions; strict Transport Canada regulations apply.
• How is data security handled? Video is stored on the County’s secure network, used only for training and investigations.
• How does SCES evaluate the program? By capturing quantitative data and qualitative feedback to improve response efficiency and crew safety.
• Are there plans to expand? The program will evolve as technology and operational needs change.