Episode 020: Drones Are Lifesavers and Force Multiplayers with Rick Smith
b'
Charles Werner, your host, welcomes Rick Smith to today\\u2019s episode. He\\u2019s a retired Police Sergeant from the Antioch Police Department, who has helped them start their own drone program and has been widely involved in implementing Drone Programs on the West Coast and the rest of the country.
In today\\u2019s episode, Rick expands on the amazing benefits of including drones in public safety operations, giving great examples of how they improved the efficacy and safety of the Antioch Police Department\\u2019s missions.
\\xa0
Key Takeaways:
[1:22] Rick shares how he got into the career of Law Enforcement.
[2:54] How did Rick get involved with drones in the Antioch Police Department?
[4:21] What was the a-ha moment for the department?
[5:21] What were the steps that Rick went through to open his program beyond what the original response was?
[8:13] Rick shares on Alarm Calls about in-progress crimes where drones were involved.
[9:47] Rick shares an example.
[11:03] Charles shares three aspects in which drones are important: ensuring safety (of the responder and the citizens), improving operational effectiveness, and giving real-time situational awareness.
[13:40] Drones help to de-escalate situations.
[14:07] Rick shares another example.
[15:16] Has Rick ever had a situation when the suspect realizes a drone is following and gives up as a result?
[16:51] Rick talks about the benefits of live streaming.
[19:24] Rick shares insight on flight by sharing the details of an operation.
[22:19] What drones does Rick fly insight?
[26:19] What do they use as a streaming solution at the Antioch Police Department?
[29:58] Rick talks about how people from other departments start to reach out to him.
[30:34] Rick speaks about his work training other disciplines.
[33:08] Different disciplines are working and cooperating to develop Drone Programs.
[37:50] Rick spends time every day returning messages from people all over the West Coast.
[39:09] What are the steps to move forward and introduce a Drone Program in the right way?
[40:50] Rick shares valuable advice for anyone starting a Drone Program.
[46:08] Rick shares the most important takeaway from his years involved in Drone Programs.
\\xa0
Mentioned in this episode:
Airborne International Response Team
AIRT is the leading 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting Drones For Good and Public Safety UAS
Become a member of Drone Responders for free.
AIRT and DRONERESPONDERS 2020 Drones in Public Safety Survey
\\xa0
Learn more about Rick\\u2019s work at the Antioch Police Department
'