On behalf of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), President and CEO Michael Robbins issued the following statement endorsing the Directing Resources for Officers Navigating Emergencies (DRONE) Act of 2025: 

“Drones are saving lives in emergency response. They are being relied on to reduce the risk posed to first responders, every day, in communities across the nation. 

At a time when the demands on public safety are increasing while budgets are decreasing, AUVSI applauds the leadership of Representatives Correa and Nehls in introducing this legislation and working to support access to these critical, lifesaving tools.” 

At present, drones cannot be purchased or operated using funds from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants programs. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA) and Troy Nehls (R-TX), seeks to change this by making drones an eligible expense under these federal grants, ensuring more first responders have access to these essential tools for public safety and emergency response. 

AUVSI’s endorsement joins that of public safety groups, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Fraternal Order of Police, and the Major County Sheriffs of America, reinforcing the widespread support for this initiative among public safety leaders. 

AUVSI has long advocated for the responsible integration of drones in emergency response. In May 2024, Robbins testified before the U.S. House of Representatives on how first responders are using drones to aid in public safety missions and emergency response. Representative Correa also participated in the hearing, highlighting in his opening statement how law enforcement agencies are already leveraging drones to enhance situational awareness and improve emergency response. He pointed to the Chula Vista Police Department, which became the first in the nation to routinely respond to 911 calls using drones. The DRONE Act of 2025 builds on these successes by ensuring more first responders nationwide can access these critical tools. 

Read here Robbins’ written comments for the joint hearing on “Unmanned Aerial Systems: An Examination of the Use of Drones in Emergency Response,” hosted by the Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology and Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence. 

Last year, AUVSI published a memo with validation from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) on procurement guidance and recommendations for public safety agencies.