Newport Beach Invests Over $2 Million in Drone Fleet for Faster 911 Response

In late February 2025, the Newport Beach City Council unanimously approved a five-year, $2.17 million contract with BRINC Drones Inc. to deploy seven drones designed specifically for emergency response. Six units of the Responder model—branded as purpose-built 911 response drones—will launch automatically when 911 dispatchers receive a call, potentially arriving on scene within tens of seconds. A seventh drone, equipped with thermal imaging, night vision, and 3D mapping capabilities, is tailored for SWAT and crisis negotiation operations.

The initiative complements the city’s newly created Crime Information Center and existing network of public safety cameras, and equips police and civilian responders with live aerial intelligence. Funding includes charging infrastructure, software, ongoing maintenance, and FAA approvals, with provisions to upgrade the fleet in years three and five. BRINC offered the city a discount on equipment and services. 

This cutting-edge Drone-as-First-Responder program places Newport Beach among early adopters of drone-powered public safety in California and reflects the city’s broader push toward technology-enhanced emergency operations.

Read the Original Article: https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2025-02-26/newport-beach-approves-over-2-million-for-drones-designed-to-respond-to-911-calls