DFR with simpler, faster success.

Launching and managing a Drone as First Responder (DFR) programme can be complex. See what's involved - and how IDI brings the pieces together to get your DFR programme off the ground with immediate results.

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A 3-part plan for successful DFR.

Ready

Lay the groundwork for DFR success by aligning people, policy, and infrastructure before launch.

Respond

When every second counts, look for speed, autonomy, and scalability.

Resolve

Ensure that every response ends with accountability built-in - from capture to court.

Prepare leaders.

Strong leadership and alignment are essential for a DFR programme to succeed. Lay the foundation early with expert guidance from IDI's DFR Programme Workshop.

Learn proven practices from 50+ UK police forces already running successful DFR programmes.
Define your Concept of Operations (ConOps) and develop supporting policies and procedures.
Choose your deployment model - dock-based, response vehicle-led, or hybrid - and plan coverage around your community's needs.

Navigate CAA.

DFR success depends on early regulatory approval and strong public trust. IDI helps you navigate both from day one.

Partner with IDI Regulatory Services to secure Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and other operational CAA permissions.
Build a complete safety case and CAA documentation that support your programme design.
Align internal policies with CAA standards and community expectations for transparency and trust.

Right fleet size.

Plan a fleet that aligns with your mission, coverage objectives, and operational model.

Use IDI drones for dock-based or response vehicle-led outdoor DFR response, and indoor operations.
Plan for long-term scalability by balancing fleet size, call demand, and airspace.
Many forces opt for a hybrid approach, combining dock-based and response vehicle-led operations, to maximise flexibility and total coverage.

Train Operators.

Confident and capable operators make every DFR mission safer and more effective. Build that readiness through CAA certification, IDI training, and realistic simulated flights.

Rehearse DFR operations, practice flight skills, and refine decision-making using IDI training simulations.
Train operators, dispatchers, and control room staff through IDI Academy - online and in-person.
Earn CAA permissions and certifications through IDI's training partners and regulatory support.

Prepare Sites.

Early site preparation keeps your DFR programme on schedule and ensures every location is fully operational, connected, and reliable.

Confirm power, network, and environmental conditions for each Dock location.
Use IDI tools to assess coverage, clearance, and the RF environment.
Coordinate with IT, facilities, and local authority partners to ensure safe and accessible sites.

Add Workflows.

Seamless integration connects every step of your DFR programme - from call-taker to evidence. Connecting your existing tools ensures your DFR programme works the way your team already does.

Integrate IDI Fly with CAD, NG911, ALPR, and other response systems for automatic launch triggers.
Stream live video and connect platforms for a common operating picture in your control room.
Test and validate end-to-end workflows and integrations before going live.

Rapid Response.

Getting drones airborne quickly gives officers time and distance to make more informed decisions, enabling faster and safer response.

Trigger flights automatically from CAD, NG911, and other integrated systems.
Launch drones in under 20 seconds to get eyes on scene fast.
Maintain continuous coverage through multi-drone response and seamless aircraft handoffs.

Share Video.

When everyone sees the same live view, coordination improves, decisions are smarter and response is safer.

Stream live video instantly and share the feed through SMS alerts, email groups, or shared links.
Give dispatch, patrol, and control room the same real-time view on any device.
Integrate with existing platforms to get video in front of the right people at the right time in your control room.

Fly Anytime.

Emergencies don't wait for good weather or daylight. Your DFR programme shouldn't either. IDI drones are built to fly when and where you need them, delivering continuous coverage 24/7.

Fly through rain, wind, snow, daylight, or zero-light conditions with advanced obstacle avoidance and autonomy.
Fly wherever you need to with connectivity that goes the distance. Use multiple network connections for the best performance.
Operate continuously with autonomous systems that handle complex flight scenarios without constant operator input.

Automate Ops.

Faster response starts with autonomous control. IDI Autonomy handles the complexity of flight, allowing operators to focus on the mission, not the controls.

Command multiple drones at once - launch, control, and reassign across your fleet with IDI Fly. Automatic deconfliction keeps multiple drones flying safely together.
Fly to any point automatically - IDI Pathfinder charts and executes safe, optimized routes automatically.
Track and follow people or vehicles, keeping subjects in frame with advanced tracking capabilities.

Operate remotely.

IDI Fly is the central operating system for remote flight operations. Run missions, manage docks, and coordinate teams across jurisdictions - without limits.

Oversee multiple docks, aircraft, and live missions from a single map view.
Switch control seamlessly between remote and local operators for continuous response.
Coordinate operations across shifts, regions, and agencies through one connected platform integrated with your control room.

See the Detail.

Clear visuals drive confident decisions. IDI drones give teams the clarity they need - inside buildings or across city blocks, in daylight or darkness.

Capture high-resolution, evidentiary video with advanced sensors.
Use high-resolution zoom to identify details, such as a license plate or subject movement, from a safe distance.
Use advanced thermal imaging to locate people or heat signatures through smoke, foliage, or darkness.

Secure Evidence.

Evidence must stand up to scrutiny - from the field to the courtroom. IDI meets security requirements, ensuring evidence data is encrypted, access-controlled, and auditable.

Automatically upload video, photos, and telemetry to evidence systems.
Maintain chain of custody with embedded watermarks that log date, time, aircraft, and sensor data.
Verify authenticity through cryptographic file hashes that maintain evidentiary integrity.

Ready? Our dedicated support team are here for expert guidance.

UK policing specialists

Our team guides every stage of your DFR programme—from community engagement and phased rollout, to dock installation, system integration, and delivering intelligence where your force needs it.

Regulatory compliance

We have experts dedicated to helping you navigate CAA requirements to operate fully autonomously, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), without a visual observer.

Training & support

We bring your team up to operational standard quickly with comprehensive training and certification to manage scheduled and spontaneous deployments from any browser, anywhere.

Book a live demonstration

See IDI DFR in action, as we demonstrate real-time operations in a focused 30-minute session.

Book now

Develop your implementation plan

Let us help you transform your vision into a practical plan that delivers immediate operational benefits and a clear path to expansion.

Access resources

Download guides, watch videos, and learn from UK police forces already running successful DFR programmes.

View resources