Aerial view of fire in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The city of Louisville's budget now includes full funding for a drone program that will give first responders a head start when there's a crime or emergency. 

Louisville Metro Emergency Services, Louisville Metro Police Department and the Louisville Fire Department will all benefit from the first-of-its kind initiative that's referred to as Drone as First Responder (DFR) program.

The drones will be launched remotely from firehouses and sent ahead to emergencies requiring first responders, giving police, fire and EMS an advanced, aerial view before they make it to the scene. They will provide real-time video "and situational awareness before the first on-the-ground crews arrive," according to a release. 

"DFR gives us eyes on the scene in seconds -- not minutes, providing safer outcomes for first responders and our community," Mayor Craig Greenberg said in the release.

"While other cities have invested in DFR programs, Louisville Metro is one of the first nationwide to operate the program with collaboration between multiple agencies under the unified umbrella of Louisville Metro Emergency Services, furthering our community goal of One Metro."

Now that the budget has been approved, Emergency Services will begin renovations at a new "Remote Operations Center" at MetroSafe for the Tactical Flight Operators (TFOs). The MetroSafe local will help ensure TFOs can listen to dispatch radio traffic in real-time, creating a simultaneous response, according to the release. 

In a written statement, Louisville Metro Emergency Services Executive Director Jody Meiman said "using drones transforms emergency response from reactive to proactive. By using drone technology, we're not just responding faster -- we're giving our teams the tools to be better informed to make smarter, safer decisions for everyone."

LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey called the new program "a powerful new way to serve and protect our community."

TFOs will launch the drones from docks stationed initially at eight firehouses around the city, with plans to expand to a total of 20 launch locations over the next six years, according to the news release. 

Based on historical data, officials believe the DFR program could be used for up to 26,000 calls every year, for runs including "car crashes, missing persons, shots fired, water rescues, structure fires or collapses, etc."

The "Drone as First Responder" program is expected to  be fully operational by next Spring. 

For more information, click here.

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