Claim OwnershipDronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time
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Welcome to Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time, a podcast by DroneSense. We explore real-world applications of drones in emergency response, offering a close examination of evolving trends in drone technology and its impact on public safety.
41 Episodes
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In Part 2 of this DroneCast conversation, Joe Kearns sits down with Randall Warnas, CEO of Anzu Robotics, to explore the realities of building a trusted American drone company. Randall shares how Anzu is tackling the challenge of earning public safety trust, balancing innovation with regulatory pressures, and building a sustainable market presence amid intense geopolitical dynamics. This episode delivers candid insights for anyone invested in the future of U.S. drone manufacturing.
In Part 1 of this special two-part DroneCast conversation, host Joe Kearns sits down with David Spraggs, former bomb squad commander and current Manager of Customer Success at DroneSense, to explore his pioneering work bringing drones into law enforcement. From his first exposure to a $150,000 UAS in 2014 to building Boulder PD’s drone program from the ground up, David reveals how drones moved from “nice-to-have gadgets” to mission-critical tools in public safety. He shares lessons on community trust, funding, documentation, and cross-agency collaboration that remain essential for agencies building or scaling their own programs today. Stay tuned for Part 2, where David continues his journey and dives deeper into advanced applications and lessons learned.
In this episode of DroneCast, host Joe Kearns sits down with Randall Warnas, CEO of Anzu Robotics, to discuss the rapidly evolving world of American drone manufacturing. Randall shares how Anzu bridges the gap between Chinese and domestic drone solutions, tackles complex geopolitical and cybersecurity challenges, and builds trust in a DJI-dominated market. This candid conversation delivers strategic insights for anyone invested in the future of secure, US-based drone technology.
In this episode of DroneCast, host Joe Kearns sits down with Brandon Karr, co-founder of Unmanned Tactical Group and a trailblazer in UAS operations for public safety. Brandon shares his journey building one of the nation’s first Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs, how he secured the first-ever BVLOS waiver for public safety, and offers actionable insights for agencies looking to launch or expand drone programs.
In Part 2 of this impactful DroneCast conversation, host Joe Kearns continues the discussion with Greg Reverdiau, co-founder of the Pilot Institute, diving deeper into the human side of public safety drone operations. Greg unpacks the importance of building a proactive safety culture, training for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, and preparing teams for the integration of advanced sensors and future technologies. This episode equips public safety drone leaders with strategies to foster resilience, decision-making under pressure, and long-term program success in an evolving regulatory landscape.
In Part 1 of this eye-opening DroneCast conversation, host Joe Kearns sits down with Greg Reverdiau, co-founder of the Pilot Institute and veteran aviation expert, to explore the future of drone training in public safety. Moving beyond basic Part 107 certification, Greg shares practical insights into building confident, capable drone teams through structured programs, NIST-based proficiency standards, and scenario-based learning. Whether you're starting a program or refining existing training, this episode offers actionable guidance to raise your team's readiness and performance.
In this engaging episode of DroneCast, host Joe Kearns sits down with Bobby Jason Mullinax of Frontier Precision Unmanned to explore how drone technology is transforming crash reconstruction and investigative operations in law enforcement. With over 15 years of public safety experience, Bobby Jason Mullinax shares practical approaches for drone integration, overcoming misconceptions, and establishing evidentiary credibility. Whether you're building a new program or enhancing an existing one, this episode offers strategic insights to elevate drone use in public safety.
In this insightful episode of DroneCast, host Joe Kearns sits down with Jason Cokinos of the Montgomery County Police Department to explore the challenges and innovations of using drones as first responders in one of the nation’s most complex restricted airspaces near Washington, DC. They discuss how the department navigates regulatory hurdles, builds essential partnerships with federal agencies, and transitions to secure drone technologies—all while developing robust training programs and operational protocols. This episode offers practical guidance for public safety agencies aiming to launch or scale drone-as-first-responder programs under demanding conditions.
In this powerful episode of DroneCast, host Joe Kearns sits down with Jason Cokinos of Montgomery County Police Department to discuss how drones are transforming public safety in real time. From reducing response times to under two minutes to helping prevent the use of deadly force, this conversation highlights how innovative drone programs are reshaping traditional law enforcement. Jason shares firsthand success stories—including a high-stakes hostage situation resolved through drone surveillance—and outlines the strategies behind their Drone as First Responder model. Whether you're managing a drone program or exploring ways to modernize emergency response, this episode offers practical insights into using drone technology to enhance safety, transparency, and effectiveness in the field.
Join host Joe Kearns as he sits down with Amelia Frasure, Solutions Engineer at Skydio, the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight. Amelia, formerly the UAS Program Manager for the Greenville Police Department and an instructor at the Public Safety UAS Institute, shares expert insights on building and managing effective drone programs in public safety. In this episode, Frasure discusses program development, team training, and overcoming operational challenges in law enforcement drone operations. The conversation also covers practical strategies for securing funding, ensuring compliance, and maintaining operational excellence. Whether you’re launching a new UAS program or optimizing an existing one, this episode offers valuable insights for public safety professionals, drone program managers, and law enforcement leaders looking to maximize the impact of unmanned aircraft technology.
Join hosts John McLeod and Joe Kearns as they reflect on a milestone year for DroneCast, highlighting the evolution of the podcast and the public safety drone landscape. From its humble beginnings to reaching tens of thousands of listeners, this special mini-episode revisits key conversations that have shaped the way agencies approach drone operations. One year of stories, shared struggles, and breakthrough insights from agencies worldwide shaping the future of drone-powered public safety. John and Joe discuss how drone programs have grown from isolated initiatives to integrated, community-wide solutions—fueled by cross-agency collaboration, evolving technology, and a shared commitment to innovation. Whether you're a drone operator, program manager, or policymaker, this episode offers valuable takeaways on the past, present, and future of drones in public safety.
Join host Joe Kearns as he sits down with Charles Werner, Aviation Technology Adviser for the Virginia Department of Aviation, Director of Drone Responders, and an experienced storm chaser. With over four decades of experience in emergency services, aviation, and severe weather response, Charles shares groundbreaking insights into the FAA’s recent regulatory changes that are transforming public safety drone operations. In this episode, Werner discusses the streamlined DFR COA process, the rapid shift from 11-month to one-week drone program approvals, and how simplified regulations are helping agencies launch and scale their UAS programs faster. Whether you’re a public safety professional, drone program manager, or policymaker, this episode offers vital updates, practical strategies, and a forward-looking perspective on the future of public safety drone operations.
In part two of this Dronecast episode, host Joe Kearns continues his conversation with Rich Gatanis, UAS Coordinator at Southern Manatee Fire Rescue. They discuss Florida's drone legislation challenges, the formation of FLOGR (Florida Public Safety UAS Coordination Group), and the future of robotics in public safety, including emerging technologies and integration strategies.
In this episode of DroneCast, host Joe Kearns sits down with Rich Gatanis, UAS Coordinator at Southern Manatee Fire Rescue, to explore how drones are transforming hazardous materials (hazmat) operations. Rich shares how his team transitioned from traditional methods to drone-based solutions for safer and more effective emergency response—paving the way for national best practices in hazmat drone usage.
In part 2 of this DroneCast episode, host Joe Kearns continues his conversation with Jack Wu, exploring Nightingale Security's approach to emergency response infrastructure, autonomous operations, and the future of integrated public safety systems. Jack shares insights on system resilience, inter-platform communication, and his vision for the evolution of emergency response technology.
In part 1 of this DroneCast episode, host Joe Kearns speaks with Jack Wu, co-founder and CEO of Nightingale Security. They discuss Nightingale's focused approach to drone design, the challenges of urban drone operations, and why simplicity in design leads to reliability in the field. Jack shares insights on their Blackbird platform and explains why specialization in drone design is crucial for operational success.
In this second part of our conversation with Adam Bilmes, CEO of Inspired Flight, we discuss the exciting advancements in domestic drone manufacturing, navigating regulatory challenges, and the importance of reliability in drone technology. Adam shares insights on emerging trends, including connectivity options and the future of autonomous drones, while showcasing real-world applications in public safety. Tune in for an engaging conversation about the evolving landscape of drone technology!
In this episode of DroneCast, host Joe Kerns is joined by Adam Bilmes, cofounder, and business development manager at Inspired Flight, to discuss his unexpected journey from sous chef to drone industry innovator, the challenges of building American-made technology in a competitive global market, and the importance of customer feedback in driving innovation. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about redefining domestic drone manufacturing and the future of the U.S. drone industry.
In this episode of DroneCast, host Joe Kearns speaks with Lee Newman, a 27-year veteran of the London Fire Brigade and current drone project lead. They discuss Lee's journey from traditional firefighting to pioneering drone integration, his experiences following the Grenfell Tower fire, and his vision for the future of emergency drone operations in the UK, including the development of UK AERO (United Kingdom Emergency Robotics Responders Organisation).
In part two of our Dronecast conversation, host Joe Kearns continues his discussion with Jon McBride, exploring critical challenges in the drone industry including manufacturing dependencies, regulatory considerations, and program implementation. Jon shares his vision for the future of drone integration in public safety and offers insights into building successful drone programs.
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