Over the Summer, CCS hosted STEAMM Days - A 3 day event showcasing different elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Mechanics. CCS STEAMM Days gave families a peek at the exciting new programs available to students starting this Fall!

~ Thank you to our generous donors and volunteers that have made this new program possible ~

On Friday, December 5th the CCS Drone Club got to see a demonstration by the Fremont Police Department's Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program. The students learned about using pre-positioned drones to provide immediate aerial video for 911 calls, improving situational awareness, de-escalation, and resource allocation before ground units arrive, operating with transparency and strict guidelines for critical incidents like searches, crimes, and hazmat situations.

How does it work? Well, when 911 receives a critical call, a remote pilot determines if the DFR drone is needed. If it is determined that a drone is needed, then drones are launched from fixed locations, aiming to reach the scene within minutes, well before traditional responders. The drone streams live video to dispatchers and commanders, providing instant situational awareness. This data helps officers and firefighters assess hazards, locate people (suspects or missing persons), and de-escalate situations safely.

The students learned that drones are not used for general surveillance; deployment is restricted to life-threatening emergencies and serious crimes. The officers brought with them one of their advanced drones, DJI Matrice 30T, which is capable of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights. This ability provides better information for first responders, increasing safety for the public and officers. The ability of a faster response time cuts down crucial minutes in critical situations and saves resources compared to traditional aerial support like helicopters. This particular drone is also capable of delivering life saving equipment to individuals in need.(The student's will get some hands-on experience with this next May!)

 In summary: Fremont's DFR program is a pioneering model in public safety, leveraging drone technology for faster, safer, and smarter emergency responses.