FDNY expands autonomous drone technology for emergency response in New York City

FDNY conducts weeklong drone technology assessment

The New York Fire Department (FDNY) has reported that it has carried out a weeklong evaluation of drone technology in partnership with the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the US Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL).

The tests, conducted from July 30 2025 in Manhattan, assessed drones approved on the Department of Defense “Blue UAS Cleared List,” which are certified as cyber-secure and compliant with DoD policy.

According to FDNY, the aim was to identify viable alternatives to drones from restricted manufacturers and to provide operational feedback to guide industry improvements.

FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said the department has used drones since March 2017 and now deploys them across all five boroughs.

Tucker said: “The FDNY has fully embraced drone technology.”

He added: “We have been at this a long time, but the technology has evolved. Today, we’re using drones across all five boroughs.”

Autonomous deployment plans for firehouse-based drones

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, Kaz Daughtry, stated that New York City is preparing to station drones on firehouse rooftops to enable automatic deployment to fire scenes.

According to Daughtry, the concept involves drones launching when a 911 call is received, reaching the incident before firefighters and transmitting live imagery to responding crews.

Daughtry said this would allow incident commanders to conduct a scene assessment while en route, giving them an operational advantage before arrival.

The Deputy Mayor added that the initiative builds on earlier police department programmes, where drones were launched autonomously from multiple precincts to assist in law enforcement operations.

Use of drones in operational firefighting and rescue

FDNY explained that drones are used at every second alarm fire or larger, as well as during rescue operations.

According to the department, drones provide aerial imagery, thermal imaging and heat detection, with video feeds shared citywide to assist in decision-making.

FDNY stated that drones help locate hotspots, assess building stability and identify hazardous areas inaccessible to personnel.

Commissioner Tucker said that expanding drone technology across the city would enhance the department’s ability to arrive with prior situational awareness, improving safety for both firefighters and the public.

Broader public safety applications

Zach Iscol, New York City Emergency Management Commissioner, said drones have also been used for building collapse assessments, storm damage mapping and beach monitoring.

Iscol stated that drones assist lifeguards in identifying swimmers in distress and have been employed in coastal storm response exercises.

According to Iscol, the technology’s potential for public safety operations continues to expand.

He said its versatility allows it to be applied across diverse scenarios, from firefighting to environmental hazard monitoring.

Testing and evaluation process

FDNY Robotics Programme Administrator Mike Leo said the DHS-hosted assessment involved operational testing of multiple drone models to establish performance benchmarks and inform future procurement decisions.

Leo explained that the process focused on evaluating existing technology for suitability in urban emergency environments rather than immediate modifications.

He noted that the metrics gathered will be applicable to public safety agencies nationwide.

Leo added that the department monitors emerging drone technology to ensure it is reliable for public safety use before deployment.

Security standards and equipment replacement

FDNY confirmed that the evaluation also addressed cyber security concerns raised in DHS guidance regarding certain foreign-manufactured drones.

The department said it is phasing out such models in favour of alternatives meeting its security criteria.

Officials explained that testing in New York City’s dense urban environment serves as proof of concept, ensuring technology functions in areas with complex radio and cellular signal conditions.

Daughtry stated that if a system performs effectively in New York, it is expected to work reliably in other US cities.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The FDNY’s drone technology programme provides a model for integrating unmanned aerial systems into urban fire and rescue operations.

It demonstrates how early scene intelligence can be gathered before first responders arrive, enhancing tactical decision-making.

The approach also shows the importance of cyber-secure equipment procurement and operational testing in challenging environments before large-scale deployment.

Fire and safety professionals can assess how autonomous drone deployment could be applied to their jurisdictions, considering local geography, infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.

FDNY expands autonomous drone technology for emergency response in New York City: Summary

The New York Fire Department has conducted a weeklong drone technology assessment in partnership with the NYPD and DHS NUSTL.

The evaluation tested Department of Defense-approved drones from the Blue UAS Cleared List for cyber security and operational suitability.

FDNY said the project aims to identify replacements for restricted drones and inform manufacturers on operational needs.

Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry outlined plans to place autonomous drones on firehouse rooftops for pre-arrival scene assessment.

Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said drones are deployed across all five boroughs for firefighting and rescue operations.

FDNY uses drones for thermal imaging, hotspot detection and structural stability assessment.

Zach Iscol from NYC Emergency Management said drones are also used for storm damage mapping, building collapse surveys and beach safety monitoring.

FDNY Robotics Administrator Mike Leo said the testing provided performance benchmarks and informed procurement planning.

The department is replacing certain foreign-made drones with models that meet its security standards.

Testing in New York City ensures drones can operate reliably in dense urban environments with complex signal conditions.

Correction: An earlier version of this report misattributed remarks to Cass Dorie. The correct name is Kaz Daughtry, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety.