Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time

In this episode of DroneCast, host John McLeod interviews Chris Lester, Division Chief at Austin-Travis County EMS and UAS Program Administrator. Chris shares his journey from aspiring medical professional to paramedic and eventually to his current leadership role in emergency medical services. The conversation focuses on how Austin-Travis County EMS has integrated drone technology into their operations, discussing various use cases from search and rescue to supporting homeless populations and enhancing response during special events. Chris highlights the department's innovative approaches, including using drones for medication delivery in challenging situations and coordinating with manned aviation units. The episode also touches on the rapid evolution of drone technology and its impact on improving emergency response efficiency and outcomes.



Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Guests include: Matt Rowland, Jason Burnside

Check out our 3 most downloaded episodes:

• Revolutionizing Emergency Response: Chris Lester on Drones in EMS
• Navigating Drone Program Challenges: Lessons from George Mason University
• Navigating the Future of Counter-Drone Operations: Insights from Jack Venables
  
  

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In the second part of this DroneCast episode, host John McLeod and Michael Lighthiser, Deputy Chief of Police for George Mason University, delve deeper into the complexities of running a university drone program. Lighthiser shares insights on using drones for VIP protection, including coordination with the Secret Service and FAA. He offers valuable advice for agencies starting drone programs, emphasizing the importance of administrative support and passionate team members.


The conversation also covers lessons learned from building GMU's program, including equipment selection and data management challenges. Lighthiser discusses his work with the Law Enforcement Drone Association and addresses concerns about potential legislation restricting drone use. The episode concludes with a discussion on community engagement and transparency in drone operations.


Episode Highlights:

• [02:28] Lighthiser explains how they coordinate with the US Secret Service and FAA for VIP protection using drones, including pre-planning for potential scenarios.
• [03:46] He discusses using drones for advanced work, such as creating up-to-date maps and 3D models of venues for VIP visits.
• [05:24] Lighthiser shares key advice for agencies starting drone programs, emphasizing the need for full commitment and administrative support.
• [07:20] He reflects on lessons learned, including the importance of choosing appropriate equipment and managing data effectively.
• [10:19] Lighthiser discusses his work with the Law Enforcement Drone Association, including upcoming training events and efforts to educate elected officials.
• [12:40] He addresses concerns about potential legislation restricting drone use, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that doesn't hinder public safety operations.
• [18:40] Lighthiser shares strategies for community engagement and transparency, including publishing mission details on their website.

Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Guests include: Matt Rowland, Jason Burnside

Check out our 3 most downloaded episodes:

• Revolutionizing Emergency Response: Chris Lester on Drones in EMS
• Navigating Drone Program Challenges: Lessons from George Mason University
• Navigating the Future of Counter-Drone Operations: Insights from Jack Venables
  
  

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In this episode of DroneCast, host John McLeod interviews Michael Lighthiser, the Deputy Chief of Police for George Mason University and co-chair of the Threat Assessment Team. Lighthiser shares insights into GMU's public safety drone program, which has been operational since 2018. He discusses how the program started, its evolution, and its dual role in supporting both law enforcement and educational initiatives on campus.


Lighthiser explains how the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville sparked GMU's interest in drone technology for public safety. He details the program's growth, including its pivotal role during the civil unrest following George Floyd's murder, where drones proved instrumental in maintaining officer safety. The conversation also covers the unique challenges of operating in the DC area's restricted airspace and the importance of inter-agency cooperation.


Throughout the episode, Lighthiser highlights the innovative ways GMU integrates its drone program with academic research, including forensic studies and the development of future drone technology experts. He also shares valuable insights on conducting successful overwatch operations and the benefits of fixed-wing drones for extended missions.


Episode Highlights:

• [01:10] Lighthiser explains how the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville sparked GMU's interest in drone technology for public safety.
• [03:17] He describes the program's first major deployment using DroneSense during protests following George Floyd's murder, which significantly reduced officer injuries and demonstrated the value of drones to regional partners.
• [04:36] Lighthiser discusses the unique aspect of GMU's program, which leverages both law enforcement and educational components, allowing researchers to work on real-world problems using drone technology.
• [06:52] He details how the program supports various research initiatives, including forensic studies at their "body farm" and the development of techniques to locate clandestine graves using drone technology.
• [09:00] Lighthiser shares insights on conducting successful overwatch operations, emphasizing the importance of planning, training, and inter-agency cooperation.
• [11:17] He discusses the recent adoption of fixed-wing drones for extended overwatch missions, highlighting the challenges and benefits of this new technology.
• [14:25] Lighthiser emphasizes the importance of collaboration and humility when working with multiple agencies on complex missions.
• [17:37] He describes the collaborative environment in the National Capital Region and how agencies share knowledge and resources to improve their drone programs.
• [19:58] Lighthiser explains the challenges of operating in the restricted airspace near Washington D.C. and how they've developed processes to work effectively within these constraints.

Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Guests include: Matt Rowland, Jason Burnside

Check out our 3 most downloaded episodes:

• Revolutionizing Emergency Response: Chris Lester on Drones in EMS
• Navigating Drone Program Challenges: Lessons from George Mason University
• Navigating the Future of Counter-Drone Operations: Insights from Jack Venables
  
  

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In this episode of DroneCast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time, host John McLeod speaks with Jack Venables, an expert specializing in counter-drone operations. Jack shares his insights on the intersection of technology and public safety, the daily challenges of managing a counter-drone program, and the importance of stakeholder engagement. He discusses the rapid evolution of drone technology, the need for balanced and proportionate responses, and the future challenges facing the field. Jack emphasizes the critical role of collaboration among various agencies and the importance of public education in successful counter-drone operations.

Jack Venables brings a wealth of experience from his role in public safety, where he focuses on integrating cutting-edge counter-drone measures. His career reflects a deep-rooted commitment to innovation and proactive approaches, with a keen understanding of both the operational and technological landscapes in airspace security.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Guests include: Matt Rowland, Jason Burnside

Check out our 3 most downloaded episodes:

• Revolutionizing Emergency Response: Chris Lester on Drones in EMS
• Navigating Drone Program Challenges: Lessons from George Mason University
• Navigating the Future of Counter-Drone Operations: Insights from Jack Venables
  
  

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In this episode of DroneCast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time, host John McLeod speaks with Lieutenant Taylor Wade, UAS Program Manager for Lake Travis Fire Rescue's Technology Aiding Command (TAC) team. Taylor, who has been with Lake Travis Fire Rescue since 2013, shares his journey from studying criminology to becoming a firefighter and drone program manager.


The conversation covers the history and development of Lake Travis Fire Rescue's drone program, which started about six years ago primarily for prevention and fuels mitigation. Taylor explains how the program evolved, faced challenges, and was eventually revamped with a new focus on aiding command decision-making through technology.


Taylor details the current state of the program, including the number of FAA Part 107 pilots, the types of drones used, and the various software and training tools implemented. He also discusses the diverse applications of drones in firefighting, from thermal imaging for detecting hot spots to improving resource allocation in smoke investigations.


The episode also touches on the challenges of rapid community growth in the Lake Travis area, the importance of interagency collaboration, and strategies for keeping drone pilots' skills sharp. Taylor shares insights on promoting the program's successes, engaging with the community, and advice for other agencies looking to start or improve their own drone programs.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Guests include: Matt Rowland, Jason Burnside

Check out our 3 most downloaded episodes:

• Revolutionizing Emergency Response: Chris Lester on Drones in EMS
• Navigating Drone Program Challenges: Lessons from George Mason University
• Navigating the Future of Counter-Drone Operations: Insights from Jack Venables
  
  

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In this episode of Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time, host John McLeod speaks to Matt Rybar, the Vice President of Projects at Unmanned Vehicle Technologies (UVT). They discuss the importance of collaboration with other agencies, dock solutions, and strategies for implementing drone programmes. 

Matt Rybar is the Vice President of Projects at UVT, who work with organizations to identify the right drone and robotics solutions. He also founded the Michigan Public Safety Drone Association, and has a part-time role with Huron-Clinton Metroparks as a Patrol Officer and Emergency Manager.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Guests include: Matt Rowland, Jason Burnside

Check out our 3 most downloaded episodes:

• Revolutionizing Emergency Response: Chris Lester on Drones in EMS
• Navigating Drone Program Challenges: Lessons from George Mason University
• Navigating the Future of Counter-Drone Operations: Insights from Jack Venables
  
  

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In this episode of Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time, host John McLeod speaks to Matt Rybar, the Vice President of Projects at Unmanned Vehicle Technologies (UVT). They discuss the evolution of drone programs in public safety, the importance of public trust, and the potential of DFR programs to enhance emergency response.

Matt Rybar is the Vice President of Projects at UVT, who works with organizations to identify the right drone and robotics solutions. He also founded the Michigan Public Safety Drone Association and has a part-time role with Huron-Clinton Metroparks as a Patrol Officer and Emergency Manager.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Guests include: Matt Rowland, Jason Burnside

Check out our 3 most downloaded episodes:

• Revolutionizing Emergency Response: Chris Lester on Drones in EMS
• Navigating Drone Program Challenges: Lessons from George Mason University
• Navigating the Future of Counter-Drone Operations: Insights from Jack Venables
  
  

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In this episode of Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time, host John McLeod speaks to Charles Werner, the Aviation Technologies Advisor for the Virginia Dept. of Aviation. They discuss starting a drone program, the potential of artificial intelligence and swarm technology, and the need for standardized training and certification programs. 

Charles Werner is an Aviation Technologies Advisor for the Virginia Department of Aviation. He also serves as the director of DroneResponders Public Safety Alliance, chair of the National Council on Public Safety UAS and chair of the Virginia Secure Commonwealth UAS Sub Panel.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Instructions on how to do this are here.Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Guests include: Matt Rowland, Jason Burnside

Check out our 3 most downloaded episodes:

• Revolutionizing Emergency Response: Chris Lester on Drones in EMS
• Navigating Drone Program Challenges: Lessons from George Mason University
• Navigating the Future of Counter-Drone Operations: Insights from Jack Venables
  
  

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In this episode of Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time, host John McLeod speaks to Philip Miller, Medicolegal Death Investigator in the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. They dive into how Philip's office is pioneering the use of drones in reshaping how death scenes are assessed. Philip also shares the vital work of a medicolegal death investigator, the benefits of using drones in his work, and insights on launching a drone program.

Philip also serves on the Board of the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as an F-ABMDI member. He is also the Remote Pilot in Command for the Forensic Air Unit, operating drones to investigate death scenes in the Tulsa area. Authorized by a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, he has been a member of the Board of Directors at the Society of Medicolegal Death Investigators (SOMDI) since March 2021.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.   Instructions on how to do this are here.Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Guests include: Matt Rowland, Jason Burnside

Check out our 3 most downloaded episodes:

• Revolutionizing Emergency Response: Chris Lester on Drones in EMS
• Navigating Drone Program Challenges: Lessons from George Mason University
• Navigating the Future of Counter-Drone Operations: Insights from Jack Venables
  
  

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In this episode of Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time, host John McLeod speaks to Chris Baker, Systems Administrator and Drone & Robotics Coordinator for the City of Oswego. They discuss Oswego’s drone program, why small cities are perfect for Drone First Responders, and how he maintains relationships with stakeholders to keep the program running.

Chris has been involved with the City of Oswego in a technical capacity for the past five years, moving into the drone and robotics program in the last two years. Oswego’s drone program is unique; it's run by the city’s IT department and funded with their tech budget, instead of being the responsibility of the fire or police department. 

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.   Instructions on how to do this are here.Dronecast: Rethinking Public Safety, One Drone at a Time Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Guests include: Matt Rowland, Jason Burnside

Check out our 3 most downloaded episodes:

• Revolutionizing Emergency Response: Chris Lester on Drones in EMS
• Navigating Drone Program Challenges: Lessons from George Mason University
• Navigating the Future of Counter-Drone Operations: Insights from Jack Venables
  
  

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